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THE 

CHURCH   REVIVED. 

A    SKETCH 

OF 

PAROCHIAL  MISSIONS 

IN 

ENGLAND,     CANADA,     AND     THE     UNITED 

STATES. 

ALSO 

INCIDENTS  OF  TRA  VEL  A  T  HOME  AND  ABROAD. 

The  Rev.  J.  W.  BONHAM, 

Church  Missioner. 

M  Gather  up  the  fragments  that  remain,  that  nothing  be  lost."— St.  John  6: 12. 

PRINTED    FOR   THE   AUTHOR. 


NEW  YORK : 
.THOMAS     WHITTAKER, 

2  and  3  Bible  House. 


Copyright,  1886, 
By  J.  W.    BONHAM. 


DEDICATION 

TO 

THE    RT.  REV!  F.  D.   HUNTINGTON,  S.T.D., 
BISHOP   OF   CENTRAL   NEW   YORK. 

Right  Reverend  Father  in  God  :  When  in  America 
"  the  parochial  mission"  flame  was  burning  dimly  you 
solemnly  set  apart  the  author  to  "do  the,  work  of  an 
Evangelist."  Gladly  he  would  have  remained  the  Evangel- 
ist of  your  diocese,  had  he  not  desired  to  revisit  England, 
to  be  present  at  the  London  Prelent  Mission.  Through 
your  commendatory  letters  "  to  the  Archbishops  and  Bish- 
ops and  other  Clergy  of  the  Church  of  England"  your 
Evangelist  was  cordially  received  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  of  St.  Paul's  and  the  Rev. 
Canon  Gregory  ;  Dean  Stanley  of  Westminster  Abbey  ; 
the  Rev.  William. Calvart,  Vicar  of  St.  Peter's,  Dulwich, 
and  other  Clergy  ;  and  facilities  were  afforded  to  enable 
him  to  study  the  mission  methods  in  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, as  requested  in  "  the  letters  commendatory." 

After  the  mission  he  returned  to  America,  and  labored 
hard,  through  his  pen  and  tongue,  to  scatter  the  good  news 
that  the  Church  of  England  is  now  "  the  most  living 
Church  of  Christendom."  He  travelled  far  and  near  that, 
through  God's  blessing  on  his  missions,  "  feeble  parishes" 
might  be  strengthened  and  despondent  parishes  take  cour- 
age and  "  go  forward." 


DEDICA  TION. 


The  slow  progress  of  "  the  parochial  mission"  in  America 
is  analogous  to  its  slow  advance  in  Great  Britain.  The 
Rev.  Robert  Aitken  and  his  co-workers,  and  the  Rev. 
Father  Benson,  and  the  "  Cowley  Fathers,"  of  Oxford, 
pressed  forward  as  pioneers  amid  very  great  discourage- 
ments. The  very  eloquent  Father  Aitken,  who  was  not  a 
"  Sacramentarian,"  and  the  gentle  but  able  Father  Benson, 
who  is  a  High  Catholic  Churchman,  with  loud  voices 
cried  :  "  Fear  God,  and  give  glory  to  Him  ;  for  the  day 
of  the  Lord  approacheth  ;  and  worship  Him  who  created 
the  heavens  and  the  earth!"  Travelling  from  diocese  to 
diocese,  they  cried  :  "Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise 
from  the  dead,  and  Christ  will  give  thee  light."  And  as 
the  Wesleyan  revival  spread  forth  from  Oxford,  the  paro- 
chial mission  revival  of  the  present  generation  bears  the 
stamp  of  "  the  Oxford  movement." 

11  The  New  York  Advent  Mission"  is  analogous  to  "  the 
London  Prelent  Mission,"  and  a  crisis  of  the  many  efforts 
which  preceded  it.  The  prayer,  "  Oh,  Lord,  send  a  plen- 
teous rain  of  grace,  and  refresh  thy  languishing  inher- 
itance !"  God  in  mercy  has  answered.  The  Bishops,  Clergy, 
and  laity  of  New  York  who  unitedly  prayed,  ecstatically  sing 
their  part  in  the  thanksgiving  "  Te  Deum"  for  God's  bless- 
ing on"  the  Advent  Mission."  And,  like  the  apostolic  Mis- 
sioner  to  the  benighted  Gentiles,  those  who  were  pioneers 
of  "  parochial  missions"  sincerely  and  gratefully  thank  Al- 
mighty God  that  the  American  branch  of  the  Anglican 
Church,  partaking  of  the  mission  vitality  of  her  English 
mother,  is  also  now  a  great  light  enlightening  the  Gen- 
tiles in  America.  Some  of  "  the  pioneer  Missioners"  may 
soon  enter  into  "  the  rest  that  remaineth  ;"  but  in  view  of 
what  their  own  eyes  see,  their  own  ears  hear,  and  their 
own  hearts  feel,  they  will  depart  rejoicing. 

Through  sovereign  grace  many  can  serenely  say  : 


DEDICA  TION. 


"  Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in  peace  ; 
For  mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation." 

11  Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speak- 
eth."  The  author  never  left  your  "happy  home"  without 
an  emotion  of  gratitude  that  he  was  happier  than  when  he 
entered  it,  and  enjoyed  Episcopal  sunshine  ;  and  the  year 
he  was  in  Central  New  York  was  one  of  the  happiest 
years  of  his  eventful  life. 

Sincerely  hoping  that  it  may  please  Almighty  God  *to 
prolong  your  useful  ministry,  and  that  your  last  days  may 
be  the  happiest  days  of  your  life,  "  The  Church  Revived" 
is  respectfully  dedicated  to  the  Bishop  who  solemnly  set 
the  writer  apart  to  "do  the  work  of  an  Evangelist." 

The  Author. 


CONTENTS, 


PART  I. 


CHAPTER  I. 
THE  CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND    SLUMBERING. 

PAGE 

The  Antiquity  of  the  Anglican  Church — Retention  of  the  Ancient 
Churches  and  Seats  of  Learning — Churchmen  and  Dissenters 
Nodding — A  Reign  of  Moral  Darkness — Churches  Deserted, 
Places  of  Amusement  Crowded — Church  Serenity I 

CHAPTER  II. 

MONUMENTS  OF  THE   CHURCH   OF   ENGLAND  APATHY. 

Wesley  and  His  Followers  Mobbed — Riotous  Conduct  of  a  Dream- 
ing Clergyman — Strange  Actions  of  Magistrates — Methodists 
Caricatured  on  the  Stage — An  Official  Order  for  the  Arrest  of 
Methodist  Preachers 5 

CHAPTER  III. 

A   WESLEYAN   PREACHER   ROBBED  ;   THE  THIEVES   ALARMED. 

Three  Young  Gentlemen  on  a  Spree — The  Robbers  Asked  to  Kneel 
down  and  Pray — Afraid  that  a  Spark  may  Ignite  Powder — 
Required  to  Pay  Dearly  for  their  Midnight  Visit — Glad  to  Give 
the  Preacher  all  their  Money — A  New  Chapel  Built 8 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  WESLEYAN  SCHISM   AFTER   WESLEY'S   DEATH. 

Buckle  Mistaken — Wesley  not  a  Schismatic — Wesley  was  not 
"  Driven  out  of  the  Church  "  of  England — He  Loved  Her  too 
much  to  Leave  Her — His  Desire  that  all  Methodists  Imitate  His 
Example — Twelve  Reasons  to  Induce  them  to  do  so 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  V. 

WESLEY'S  OFFICIAL  LETTER  TO  METHODISTS  IN  AMERICA. 

PAGE 

Dr.  Coke  and  Francis  Asbury,  Joint  Superintendents — Richard 
Whatcoat  and  Thomas  Vesey,  Elders — Wesley's  Official  Docu- 
ment— His  Surprise  and  Sorrow — "  How  Dare  you  Suffer  Your- 
self to  be  Called  a  Bishop  ?" — The  Ritualism  of  Methodism 21 

CHAPTER  VI. 

WESLEY   AS   A    CHURCH   REVIVALIST   NOW   APPRECIATED. 

His  Monument  in  Westminster  Abbey — Living  Churchmen  not 
Responsible  for  the  Conduct  of  their  Ancestors — Christian 
Bodies  outside  of  the  Church  of  England  Living  Warnings  not 
to  Repel  Her  Enthusiastic  Workers 25 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE   DAWN   OF  THE   PRESENT   AWAKENING. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Aitken  Converted — Pulpits  Closed  against  Him — 
Laboring  Outside  of  the  Church — His  Last  Sermon  in  London 
when  about  to  Return — His  Evangelistic  Labors  in  the  Church 
of  England 29 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   ALARM    CONCERNING   PAPAL   AGGRESSION. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Cumming  in  Exeter — He  Attacks  the  Papacy — People 
Alarmed — An  Imaginary  Papal  Mandate  to  Regain  Power  in 
England — Bach's  Passion  Music — The  Abbey  Crowded 35 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  ADOPTION   OF  THE  TERM    "  THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION." 

Mission  at  Bedminster,  Bristol — Clergymen  in  a  Coal  Mine — The 
Number  of  Missioners — The  Bishop  of  Derry  Appreciates  En- 
thusiasm— The  Twelve  Days'  Mission  in  London — Bishops  Mis- 
sion Leaders —Preparation  for  the  Pre-Lent  Mission  in  London 
— Bishops  Address  the  Clergy 48 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  ANCIENT  CHURCH   OF  PERANZABULOE. 

Entombed  in  Sand  during  1000  Years — The  Mounds  of  Sand  Re- 
moved—Plainness of  the  Architecture — St.  Peran  Preached  the 
Gospel  in  Cornwall — St.  Augustine  Arrived  in  England  at  a 
Later  Period — The  Fate  of  Unfaithful  Apostolic  Churches 52 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE   NEWTON  THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTION,  MASS. 

PAGE 

Four  Eventful  Years — Sorrow  upon  Sorrow — Blessing  after  Blessing — 
"  Aunt  Mary  Ann  " — "  Bertie  and  Jamie  " — "  Fannie  and  Fred- 
die " — The  Professors  and  their  Families — The  Rev.  Messrs. 
Adlam,  Osier,  and  Alden 59 

CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  AUTHOR   RESOLVES  TO  REVISIT  ENGLAND. 

He  Resigns  His  Pastorate — Proposes"  a  Successor — The  Farewell  Ser- 
vice— Resolutions  and  a  Purse — Arrives  in  England — The  Guest 
of  William  King,  Esq. — The  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor — Why  the  Author 
cannot  be  His  Successor — The  Rev.  Dr.  B.  Candlish — The  Rev. 
Dr.  Guthrie 64 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  REV.  C.  H.  SPURGEON,  THE  BAPTIST   ORATOR. 

The  Metropolitan  Tabernacle — Americans  with  Bowie  Knives — The 
Opening  Service — The  Blind  Man's  Ecstasy — Spurgeon's  Conti- 
nental Tour — Caricatures  of  the  Papacy — The  Baptistery  at 
Pisa. 63 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   REV.  C.  H.  SPURGEON'S  INCREASING  INFLUENCE. 

His  Enemies  Disappointed — Ministerial  Subtlety — Various  Kinds  of 
Evangelists — Consecrated  Laymen — Richard  Weaver — Reginald 
Radcliff — Mr.  Thistlethwait — The  Handsome  English  Nobleman 
— Bible  Readings  in  Drawing-Rooms — Summary  of  Spur- 
geon's Ministry — The  Orb  of  Revival  Ascending  Higher 75 


CHAPTER  XV. 

"  WHY  DID  THE  AUTHOR  RETURN  TO  THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH?" 

How  He  was  Led  to  Leave  it — The  Influence  of  a  Companion — 
Where  did  Christ  Command  that  Children  be  Baptized  ? — He 
Could  not  Find  the  Passages — Embarrassed  by  "  Close  Com- 
munion " — Resolved  to  Return  to  the  Church  in  which  Bap- 
tized— Severe  Mental  Conflicts — Following  the  Path  of  Duty — 
Made  a  Deacon  by  Bishop  Clark — Ordained  Presbyter  by  Bishop 
Stevens — Other  Ministers  Follow  His  Example 82 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
THE  AUTHOR  AT  WORK   IN  THE  EPISCOPAL   CHURCH. 

PAGE 

The  Bishop's  Church,  Philadelphia — Trinity  Church,  Keokuk — Visit 
to  Des  Moines — The  Guest  of  Bishop  Lee — Trinity  Church, 
Chicago — St,  Paul's  Church,  Peoria — Is  Organic  Unity  Practica- 
ble ? — Its  Advantages — The  Believer's  Reunion 90 


PART  II. 
Prefatory  Notes 102 

CHAPTER  I. 

HISTORIC   SKETCH   OF   PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS    IN   AMERICA. 

Decisions  of  Several  General  Conventions — Bishop  Huntington  not 
Afraid  of  Revivals — Convocation  at  Christ  Church,  Oswego — An 
Evangelist  Appointed — He  is  Cordially  Greeted  by  the  Clergy. .   105 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE    EVANGELIST   COMMENCES    HIS   IMPORTANT    WORK. 

Mission  at  Evan's  Mills — At  Phoenix — A  Church  Service  in  the  Bap- 
tist Church — Resolutions  of  the  Vestry  to  the  Minister  and  Dea- 
cons— Mission  in  Calvary  Church,  Homer — Mission  near  Syra- 
cuse— A  Closed  Methodist  Revival  Recommenced — A  Hearty 
Methodist  Brother no 

CHAPTER  III. 

A   CLOSED   CHURCH   IN  LOWVILLE  REOPENED. 

Mission  in  Trinity  Church,  Lowville — Difficulties  Forgotten — The 
New  Rector — The  Bishop  Appoints  an  Assistant — Large 
Congregations — Mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Evangelists, 
Oswego — The  Doxology  after  Sermons — Inappropriate  Hymns 
— Changed  Mode  of  Convocation  Services 117 

CHAPTER  IV. 

NO  EPISCOPAL   CHURCH   IN   DE    RUYTER. 

Mission  in  the  Town  Hall — Services  in  the  Methodist  Church — 
Church  Services  Desired — Mission  at  Port  Byron — Presbyterian 
Church  Loaned  for  the  Services — Lecture  in  Masonic  Hall — Mis- 
sion at  Ithaca — Mission  at  Oxford ...    125 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  V. 
MISSION   IN   ST.    GEORGE'S   CHURCH,    UTICA. 

PAGE 

Sermons  in  Grace  Church — In  Calvary  Church — Missions  in  Other 
Places — Brethren  Remembered — Bishop  Huntington's  Cheering 
Circular 130 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"WHAT   IS   AN  EVANGELIST  ?" 

His  Work  of  Two  Kinds — The  Hearer  who  has  Weathered  a  Thousand 
Ordinary  Sermons — The  Mission  Thoroughly  Tested  in  England 
— The  Best  Mission  the  One  that  Lasts  during  the  Year — 
Rubrical  Elasticity — New  Pentecosts  Desired 135 


CHAPTER  VII. 

WHY  THE    EVANGELIST   LEFT   CENTRAL  NEW  YORK. 

Advice  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  De  Koven  Acted  upon — The  Steamship  City  of 
Antwerp — A  Bishop's  Cry,  "  Save  Me  !" — Safe  Arrival  in  Liver- 
pool— St.  Peter's,  Dulwich — St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London — 
Canterbury  Cathedral — Canon  Robertson  Unwilling  to  Witness 
Stealing — The  Retreat  at  Cowley — The  Rule  of  Silence — The 
Retreat  a  Blessed  Means  of  Grace — Letters  to  the  Church 
Journal 141 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  NATIONAL    THANKSGIVING   IN    ST.    PAUL'S,    LONDON. 

Appearance  of  the  Cathedral — Persons  who  were  Present — His 
Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  Preaches — The  Sermon — 
A  Brief  Extract — Service  the  next  Sunday 147 

CHAPTER  IX. 

ADVENT  SERMONS  IN  ST.  PAUL'S  CATHEDRAL. 

National  Solemnity — The  Mind  Impressible — Canon  Liddon's  Advent 
Sermons — His  Lectures  to  Young  Men — Canon  Gregory's 
Lectures  in  St.  Paul's — Innocents'  Day  in  Westminster  Abbey — 
The  Dean's  Sermon  to  Children — The  Dean's  Courtesy — His 
Excellent  Wife  , 154 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  X. 

A   BRIEF   VISIT   TO    THE   CONTINENT   OF    EUROPE. 

PAGE 

11  Sunny  Italy" — St.  Peter's,  Rome — The  Coliseum— The  American 
Church — Naples  and  Vesuvius — Pompeii  and  Herculaneum — 
Florence — Bishop  Stevens'  Visit  Appreciated — The  Bishop  and 
Mrs.  Stevens  in  Paris — A  Pleasant  Interview 159 


CHAPTER  XI. 

THE   PRELENT   CLERICAL   RETREAT   AT   COWLEY. 

The  Rev.  Father  Benson — The  Various  Services — The  Good  Results 
— Consecration  of  the  Bishop-Elect — Services  in  Oxford  Churches 
— The  Clerical  Retreat  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 165 

CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  LONDON   PRELENT   MISSION    COMMENCED. 

Services  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral — The  Mission  in  Westminster  Abbey 
— Prominent  Missioners — The  Archbishop  of  York — Melville 
— Pvm — Earl  Mulgrave — George  Bodington — George  Body 
— W.  H.  Aitken 172 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

MIDNIGHT   GOSPEL    SERVICES   TO   RESCUE    THE   FALLEN. 

The  Argyle  Rooms — St.  Peter's  Church  Filled — Appearance  of  the 
Audience — The  Gift  of  a  Residence — Lady  Gladstone — Midnight 
Missions  at  Other  Centres — Fallen  Women  Rescued 1S3 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   MISSION   THANKSGIVING   SERVICE. 

The  Preacher  of  the  Sermon — Thanking  God  that  Bishops  are  Leaders 

— Manifest  Results  of  the  Mission — The  Grand  Te  Deum 188 

CHAPTER  XV. 

NUMEROUS   MISSIONS   HELD   IN   VARIOUS   PLACES. 

Converts  Steadfast — General  Church  Life — Christians  Rejoicing  that 

the   Church  is  Awake — York  Minster — Bristol  Cathedral 192 


CONTENTS.  xiii 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
RESULTS  OF    THE  PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS. 

PAGE 

Elastic  Use  of  the  Liturgy — Clerical  Harmony — After-meetings — 
Evangelists  Needed — Canon  Fremantle — Advice  to  Clergymen — 
What  is  "  Guinea-Pig  Tameness  "  ? 196 


PART  III. 
Prefatory  Notes 201 

CHAPTER  I. 

REASONS   FOR  THE   AUTHOR'S   SPEEDY    RETURN  TO   AMERICA. 

The  Duty  of  Christ's  Church— Christian  Bodies  Active — Proportion 
of  Churchmen  to  the  Population — Unemployed  Clergymen — 
Statistics  Misleading — Unreasonable  Expectations — Practical 
Questions — The  Apostles  Resolved  and  Acted — A  Bishop's 
Lamentation — Faith  and  Works — Imitating  Methodists — The 
Church  Sky  Brightens — The  Wonderful  Contrast 191 

CHAPTER  II. 

LECTURES   ON  THE  GREAT   REVIVAL  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF   ENGLAND. 

Visits  to  Various  Dioceses — Large  Congregations — Gospel  Work  at 
Midnight — Revival  Lectures  in  New  York  City — Brooklyn — 
Newark — Connecticut — Philadelphia — Germantown —  Baltimore 
— Washington —  Detroit —  Chicago —  Peoria —  Davenport — Jack- 
son and  Vicksburg,  Miss 219 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  DEATH   OF  THE   RT.   REV.  H.  C. 'WHITEHOUSE,  D.D.,    LL.D. 

The  Bishop's  Sudden  Illness — His  Unexpected  Death — The  Bishop's 
Prophetic    Farewell — Sorrow     of    the     Diocese — The    Solemn 
Funeral    Services — The  Funeral   Oration    by    Bishop    Lee — The 
Funeral   Service   in    Trinity  Church,  New  York — The  Bishop  of 
Iowa  soon  Followed  Him  to  Paradise 229 

CHAPTER  IV. 

REVIVAL  LECTURES   IN   CATHEDRALS   AND   CHURCHES   IN  CANADA. 

Several  Cities  Visited — The  Lectures  well  Attended — Bishops  and 
Clergy  Interested — The  People  Rejoice — Notices  of  the  Revival 
Lectures — Preparing  the  Way  for  Parochial  Missions 240 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  V. 
INTRODUCTION   OF   PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS   IN   CANADA. 

PAGE 

Mission  in  Christ  Church  Cathedral,  Montreal — St.  Jude's  Church — 
Lectures  on  Missions  in  St.  Paul's,  London,  Huron — The  Rev. 
W.  S.  Rainsford's  Mission  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London — 
Many  Sinners  Saved — The  Very  Rev.  Dean  Grazette  Delighted — 
The  Wonderful  Mission  in  St.  James'  Cathedral,  Toronto ,  245 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE   CHURCH   REVIVAL   IN   INDIANAPOLIS. 

The  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan's  Mission  at  Indianapolis — The  Rev.  E.  A. 
Bradley  and  Other  Rectors  of  the  City — Bishop  Talbot's  Hearty 
Approval  of  the  Mission — The  Mission's  Manifest  Results — 
A  Christian  Woman's  Letter 250 

CHAPTER  VII. 

BISHOPS   IN  FAVOR   OF   EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES. 

The  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan's  "  Aggressive  Work  " — Plans  an  "  Evangeli- 
zation Society  " — Numerous  Bishops  Affix  their  Signatures — Ad- 
dresses in  its  Favor — No  Fund  for  the  Support  of  Evangelists  ! — 
Bishop  H.  Potter's  Appeal  for  the  Diocesan  Mission  Treasury — 
The  Bishop  of  Long  Island's  Echo — The  Church  Called  "  a  Beg- 
gar !" — Are  Evangelists  Needed  in  the  East  ? — How  to  Provide 
for  their  Support 254 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MISSION   IN  THE   HOUSE   OF   PRAYER,    NEWARK,    N.    J. 

Christ  Denied  by  Peter — Satan  Frustrated — Peter's  Subsequent  Faith- 
fulness— Services  Good  Friday — The  Saviour's  Last  Words — 
Services  Easter  Sunday — The  Brilliant  Chancel — The  Music  and 
Sermon — Service  in  the  Afternoon — New  Choristers  Vested — 
Closing  Sermon  of  the  Mission — The  Risen  Christ  Enthroned  . .   266 

CHAPTER  IX. 

MISSION   IN  THE   CHURCH   OF  THE   HOLY  TRINITY. 

Forenoon  Bible  Readings — Afternoon  Services  for  Women  only — 
Evening  Services  in  the  Church — Large  Class  Confirmed — The 
Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford,  of  England — The  Gospel  Tent — Good 
Results 269 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAPTER  X. 

MISSION    IN   THE   CHURCH    OF  THE  ASCENSION,  BROOKLYN. 

PAGE 

The  Bishop's  Pastoral — The  Rector's  Programme — General  Report 
— Results  of  the  Mission — The  Bishop's  Interest  in  Evangelistic 
Services  not  of  Recent  Origin ". 274 

CHAPTER  XI. 
THE   HOUSE   OF   LAY   EVANGELISTS. 

Its  Specific  Design — Open-Air  Services — Report  of  the  Head  of  the 
House — Summary  of  Six  Months'  Work — Mission  in  the  Gospel 
Tent,  New  York 287 

CHAPTER  XII. 

PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS   INTRODUCED   IN   NEW   ORLEANS,    LA. 

The  Mission  in  Calvary  Church — The  Bishop's  Interest  in  the  Ser- 
vices— A  Suicide  Prevented — Mission  in  Mobile,  Ala. — Missions 
in  Birmingham — Bishop  VVilmer's  Foresight— Missions  in  Louis- 
yille,  Ky. — The  Evangelist  in  Indiana 302 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   MISSION   IN   TRINITY   CHURCH,    WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

Twelve  Days'  Mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation — Bible 
Readings  in  Lincoln  Hall — Sermons  in  the  Church  of  the  As- 
cension— Wesley  and  "  Dear  Sammy  " — Financial  Salt 313 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE   GREAT   TEMPERANCE    MISSION   IN   WASHINGTON,    D.  C. 

Mr.  Edward  Murphy  in  Lincoln  Hall — An  Irish  Blessing — The  Cost 
of  "  the  Blue  Ribbon  " — Mass-meeting  on  Capitol  Hill — The 
Speakers  Suddenly  Disappearing 320 

CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  HON.  T.  L.  TULLOCK,  THE  LATE  POSTMASTER. 

An  Old  Friend  who  was  Generally  Respected — By  Relatives  and 
Intimate  Friends  he  was  much  Beloved — He  Allowed  no 
Friend  to  Suffer  if  he  could  Relieve  Him — His  Death  Lamented 
— The  Solemn  Funeral — Published  Testimonials 325 


xvi  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
THE   AUTHOR  REVISITS    SCOTLAND   AND   ENGLAND. 

PAGE 

Services  on  Board  the  Circ-assia — The  Rev.  Lindsay  Parker — Service 
in  the  Steerage — Dumfries,  Scotland — "The  Man  who  Blows 
His  own  Trumpet  " — Friends  Departed 332 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

EVANGELISTIC   SERVICES   IN   STROUD,     SOMERSETSHIRE. 

A  Temperance  Hall  Opened — A  Stirring  Lecture — Topics  of  the 
Gospel  Services — The  Salvation  Army — Valuable  Testimonials 
— Converts  Pay  their  Bills 335 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE   GENERAL   MISSION   AT   LUTON,    BEDFORDSHIRE. 

St.  Mary's  Church  Crowded — Services  for  Women  only — Service  at 
the  Poor-house — A  Novel  After-meeting — Surpliced  Choristers 
among  the  Inquirers 339 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  PAROCHIAL   MISSION   IN   ROCHESTER,    N.    Y. 

The    Mission   in  St.  Luke's  Church — The  Mission  of  Jonah  to  the 
Ninevites — The  Mission   at   Clifton     Springs — The  Mission  in 
.   Bloomfield — Services  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 343 

CHAPTER  XX. 

MISSIONS    IN   VARIOUS    CHURCHES. 

The  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  Anthon  Memorial — The 
Chapel  of  the  Reconciliation,  New  York — Christ  Chapel,  Brook- 
lyn— St.  James'  Church — St.  Luke's  Church,  Pittsburg , .  348 


PART  IV. 
Prefatory  Notes 351 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   STEAMSHIP  CITY   OF   ROME. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Freshman — The  Conversion  of  His  Father — Religious 
Discussion — Services  in  the  Grand  Saloon — Devout  Thanks- 
giving— Safe  Arrival  in  Liverpool  355 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  II. 
THE   AUTHOR   AGAIN  IN   OLD   ENGLAND. 

PAGE 

The  Guest  of  an  Old  Friend — The  Scene  of  Former  Labors — "  The 
Grave  of  Berries  Mother" — Rustic  Politeness  Remembered — 
Hasty  Visits  to  Many  Places — The  Death  of  ,  the  Author's 
Mother.  ,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,, 358 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE  AUTHOR   AND    HIS    SON   AT   SURREY   MOUNT. 

St.  Peter's  Church,  Forest  Hill — The  Faithful  Labors  of  the  Vicar — 
The  Bishop  of  London — The  Bishop  of  Rochester — The  Bishop 
of  Lichfield — Lay  Helpers  Welcomed — The  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury — The  London  Scandal — The  Purity  Society — The 
Right  Rev.  H,  C.  Potter,  D.D 364 

CHAPTER  IV. 

HOMEWARD   BOUND   AND    HOME   AGAIN. 

Fellow-Passengers — General  Moore — Various  Entertainments — Dr. 
Collyer — Edward  Murphy — Dr.  Freshman — The  First  Hebrew 
Christian  Church  in  New  York ^ 372 

CHAPTER  V. 

ADVENT   SERMONS    IN   ST.    MARK'S    MEMORIAL    CHAPEL. 

The  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan — The  Rev.  Dr.  Kramer — The  Minister 
in  Temporary  Charge — Subjects  of  the  Advent  Sermons — The 
Soul's  Biblical    Balance-sheet — Profit  or  Loss  ? 375 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  PERMANENT   MINISTER    OF   ST.    MARK'S    CHAPEL. 

He  has  the  Spirit  of  a  Missioner — Sketch  of  his  Evangelistic  Work— 
The  Evangelistic  Services  in  Philadelphia — A  Sermon  Preached 
in  a  Theatre , 382 

CHAPTER  VII. 

OTHER   PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS  IN   PENNSYLVANIA. 

Christ  Church,  Oil  City— St.  John's  Church,  Franklin— Bradford, 
Pa. — St.  Timothy's  Church,  Massillon,  Ohio — Trinity  Church— 
St.  Philip's  Church,  Philadelphia * 390 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   AUTHOR   WITH   OLD    FRIENDS   AGAIN. 

PAGE 

The  Great  Eastern — Miss  Louise  Thompson — Her  Benevolent 
Father — Mrs.  Thompson  and  Mrs.  Griffith  Bereaved — The 
Author  their  Guest — Meets  Former  Vestrymen — Guest  of  the 
Rev.  S.  Durborow 395 


CHAPTER  IX. 

REOPENING   OF   ST.    MARK'S    IN   THE   BOWERY. 

The  Reopening  of  the  Church — Great  Improvements — The  Rector's 
Sermons — Archdeacon  Farrar — The  Reunion  of  Christendom 
— The  Funeral  of  the  Rector's  Son — The  Memorial  Altar  Cross 
— The  Rector's  Grandson,  Joseph  Boseman  Rylance 399 


CHAPTER  X. 

IN   MEMORIAM   THE   REV.    S.  H.    TYNG,    SR.,  D.D. 

The  Doctor's  Frankness — His  Affectionate  Letters — He  Preaches  in 
a  Surplice — The  Rev.  Dr.  Williams — The  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford 
— The  Surpliced  Choir — The  Old  Gospel  still  Preached 403 

•  • 

CHAPTER  XI. 

THE   FUNERAL   OF   THE   REV.    S.    H.    TYNG,  D.D. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng's  Retirement  from  His  Evangelistic  Battle — The 
Gospel  Warrior  Asleep  in  Jesus — The  Sources  of  His  Influence 
— The  Funeral  Address — The  Memorial  Sermon — Dr.  Tyng  as 
an  Orator,  a  Leader,  and  a  much-beloved  Pastor 406 

CHAPTER    XII. 

THE   MISSION    AT    ST.    GEORGE'S    CHURCH,     NEWBURG. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Parish  Active — The  Mission  Ser- 
vices— Large  Congregations — Services  for  Men  Only — For  Wom- 
en Only — Results  of  the  Mission - 421 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   MISSION    IN   ST.    LUKE'S   CHURCH,    BROOKLYN. 

One  of  the  Preparatory  Services — The  Mission  Commenced — The 
Growing  Interest — Statistics  of  Results — The  Rector  and  Parish 
Encouraged 424 


CONTENTS. 


PART  V. 
Prefatory  Notes 43* 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE   NEW   YORK   ADVENT   MISSION. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements — English  Missioners  Invited — The 
Preparatory  Meetings — Special  Reasons  for  the  Mission — The 
Crux  at  Last — The  Sudden  Death  of  the  Bishop  of  Florida 436 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE   RETREAT   AT  GARRISON'S,    N.    Y. 

The  Daily  Services — The  Solemn  Addresses — The  Quiet  Seasons — 
How  the  Intervals  were  Spent — Was  the  Retreat  Profitable  ? — 
General  Impression  of  the  Clergy , 441 

CHAPTER  III. 

THE   PREPARATORY   DEVOTIONAL   SERVICE. 

Bishops  who  were  Present — The  Words  of  Welcome — The  Apprecia- 
ted Sermon — The  Proposed  Mission  Churchly — A  Quiet  Work 
Desirable — The  Model  Missioner— Wise  Cautions — The  Church 
of  England — "  We  are  but  a  Part  " — Christian  Sympathy  Appre- 
ciated— The  Bishop's   Philanthropy 445 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  EVE   OF  THE   NEW   YORK   ADVENT   MISSION. 

A  Religious  Mass-meeting — The  Woman  and  Her  Saviour — The 
Rev.  Dr.  Kramer — Reception  of  Missioners — The  Quiet  Hour — 
Excitement  Discouraged — Bishop  Elliott's  Pastoral 448 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  FIRST   SUNDAY   OF  THE   MISSION. 

The  Mission  in  Calvary  Church — The  Rt.  Rev.  Missioners — Bishop 
Elliott's  Solemn  Sermon — Afternoon  Services  for  Men  Only — 
Bishop  Tuttle  Preached  in  the  Evening 453 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    THANKSGIVING    SERVICE    IN    CALVARY   CHURCH. 

Bishop  Tuttle's  Address — Thank  God  and  Take  Courage — The 
Address  of  Bishop  Elliott — The  Triune  Benediction — Dr.  Satter- 
lee's  Address — Manifest  Results  of  the  Mission 457 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  MISSION    IN    CALVARY    CHAPEL.  PAGE 

The  Missioners — The  Various  Services — The  American  Government 
— The  Almighty  Dollar  Worshipped — The  Dean's  Devoted 
Sister — Her  Useful  Labors — Bishop  Walker — The  Rev.  F.  W. 
Tompkins 463 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   MISSION    IN   THE   CHURCH    OF   ST.    MARY   THE   VIRGIN. 

The  Rector  and  the  Missioners — The  Rich  Man  and  Lazarus — The 
Chancel  not  Bright — Father  Betts's  Sermon — The  End  of  All 
Things — The  After-meeting — Description  of  the  Missioners — 
Some  Results  of  the  Mission 470 

CHAPTER   IX. 

MISSION    AT    ST.    GEORGE'S    CHURCH,     STUYVESANT   SQUARE. 

The  Vision  of  the  Holy  Jehovah — The  Prophet  Isaiah  Prostrated — 
The  Voice  of  Mercy — Sermon  for  Men  Only — The  Standard  of 
Righteousness — The  Mission  to  Children — Little  Foxes  Spoil  the 
Vines 476 

CHAPTER    X. 

THE  MISSION'S   THANKSGIVING   SERVICE   IN  ST.  GEORGE'S  CHURCH. 

Missioner  Aitken's  Closing  Sermon — All  Jews  not  True  Israelites — 
All  who  have  been  Baptized  not  Real  Christians — Characteristics 
of  the  True  Christian— Onward  and  Upward — The  Opposite 
Direction — Some  of  the  Mission's  Results 482 

CHAPTER  XL 

AFTER    THE    MISSION    IN    ST.     GEORGE'S   CHURCH. 

Sermon  to  Men  Only  —  The  Widow  of  Nain — Christ's  Mandate 
Obeyed— Analogy  between  a  Dead  Body  and  a  Dead  Soul — "  O 
God,  Save  me  for  my  Mother's  Sake  !" — "  I  Say  unto  Thee, 
Arise  !" .488 

CHAPTER  XII. 

MISSIONER  AITKEN'S   LAST   SERMON    TO    MEN    ONLY. 

The  Last  Sermon  to  Men  Only — "  Will  ye  also  go  away  ?"— Opposite 
Forces — Christ  the  Divine  Centre — The  Science  of  Skeptics — 
The  Brain  Phosphate  of  Lime — The  Eccentric  Cornish  Evange- 
list— The  Final  After-meeting 492 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

ST.    GEORGE'S     MISSION    IN    AVENUE   A.  PACb 

A  Beer  Saloon  Secured— Gospel  Services  Therein — A  Sunday-School 
Opened — A  Discharged  Prisoner — The  Bishop  of  London  Sur- 
prised— The  Premier  and  the  Crossing-Sweeper 497 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

MISSION    IN   THE   CHURCH   OF  THE   HOLY   TRINITY. 

The  People  Familiar  with  Mission  Work — The  Rev.  W.  F.  Watkins, 
D.D.— The  Rev.  K.  Mackenzie— The  Rev.  E.  Walpole  Warren, 
M.A. — His  Style  of  Preaching— The  Relation  of  Striking  Inci- 
dents— A  Wealthy  Lady  Saved — A  Spendthrift  Converted— A 
Liquor  Merchant  Penitent 501 

CHAPTER  XV. 

THE   MISSION   IN   THE   CHURCH   OF   THE    HOLY   SPIRIT. 

The  New  Church — The  Chantry  and  Rectory — The  Surpliced  Choir— 
The  Missioner  —  Services  for  Women  Only — "Young  Harry 
Freeman" 513 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE   MISSION   IN  ZION   CHURCH   AND    THE    CHURCH   OF   THE 
INCARNATION. 

The  Mission  Preachers — The  Rev.  R.  B.  Ransford,  of  London— The 
Rev.  H.  Carmichael,  of  Canada— The  Spurned  Festival — Threat- 
enings  Fulfilled — "  It  is  now  too  Late  !" 517 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE   MISSION    IN   THE    CHAPEL    OF    THE   RECONCILIATION. 

The  Rev.  Campbell  Fair,  D.D.,  Missioner,  the  Rev.  N.  Perkins, 
Minister — The  Services  well  Attended — Sudden  Conversions — 
The  Missioner  and  Pastor  Encouraged  521 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE   MISSION   IN   THE   CHURCH    OF    THE    REDEEMER. 

The  Rev.  Father  Benson — Father  Grafton — The  Brotherhood  not 
Easily  Discouraged — Large  Congregations  at  the  Church  of  the 
Redeemer — The  Missioner's  Earnestness 526 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE   MISSION   IN   THE   CHURCH   OF   THE   HOLY   COMMUNION. 

PAGE 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Rev.  Dr.  Courtney,  the  Missioner 
— Circular  Defining  the  Mission — Programme  of  the  Daily  Ser- 
vices— -The  Rector  Greatly  Encouraged — Lay  Workers'  Asso- 
ciation    529 

CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   MISSION    IN   THE   CHURCH    OF   THE   HEAVENLY   REST. 

Extracts  from  the  Rev.  D.  Parker  Morgan's  Pastoral — The  Mis- 
sioner's  Appeal — The  Immortality  of  the  Soul — The  Bible  Read- 
ings— Requests  for  Prayer— Results  of  the  Mission 535 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE   ADVENT   MISSION   AT    ST.    MICHAEL'S    CHURCH. 

Missioner  Van  De  Water — Subjects  of  His  Sermons — Afternoon  Ad- 
dresses— Children's  Services — The  After-meetings — The  Rev. 
Dr.  Peters's  Interest  in  Parochial  Missions 543 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

MISSION   IN   THE   CHURCH   OF   ST.    JOHN  THE   EVANGELIST. 

The  Wainwright  Memorial — The  Rector's  Improvements — The  Rev. 
J.  O.  Bache— The  Missioners— The  Rev.  A.  C.  Bunn,  M.D.— 
The  Rev.  H.  L.  Foote — The  Attendance — Influence  of  the 
Sen-ices — Special  Petitions — The  Future  Harvest — The  Mission- 
er's  Bereavement 547 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

THE   MISSION    IN  THE   CHURCH    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Earnest  Missioner — Not  Afraid  of 
Holy  Enthusiasm— The  Rector's  Inquiries — The  Best  Fruits  of 
the  Mission — When  Satan  Trembles 550 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 

THE   MISSION   IN   ST.    PHILIP'S   CHURCH. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — Missioner  Crapsey — The  Congrega- 
tions Large — The  Transforming  Power  of  Gold — The  Mission 
for  Seamen — Father  Remington's  Open-Air  Mission 555 


CONTENTS.  xxiii 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE   MISSION   IN   THE   CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY   TRINITY,    HARLEM. 

I'AGK 

The  Missioner's  Style — Large  Congregations — Sinners  Converted — 
The  Rector's  Sermon — Results  of  the  Mission — Style  of  the 
Rector 561 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   MISSION    IN    ST.    MARK'S   MEMORIAL   CHAPEL. 

The  Mission  Preachers — The  Serpent  of  Intemperance — Reuben's 
Instability  —  Address  by  the  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan  —  The 
Address  by  Mr.  Faure — The  Children  Happy — "True  Inward- 
ness " 567 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   MISSION   AT   THE   CHURCH    OF    THE   HOLY   APOSTLES. 

A  Description  of  the  Missioner — The  Thanksgiving  Sermon — The 
Parting  Celebration — The  Farewell  After-meeting — The  After 
Results  of  the  Mission — A  Cheering  Letter 572 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

SPECIAL   ADVENT   SERMONS     NOT   TERMED   A   MISSION. 

Why  did  not  Dr.  Dunnell  have  a  Mission  ? — Visit  All  Saints'  Church, 
Corner  of  Henry  and  Scammell  Streets — Canon  Wilberforce 
Prostrated — Eminent  New  York  Rectors — Their  Advent  Sermons 
— St.  Chrysostom's  Chapel 577 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THE  NOONDAY   MISSION    IN  TRINITY   CHURCH. 

Subjects  of  the  Sermons  —  The  Snares  of  Commercial  Life  —  A 
Gambler  Suddenly  Converted — The  Growing  Influence  of  the 
Services — The  Curious  Arts  of  Mammon — Bulling  and  Bearing 
— The  Accommodating  Grocer 582 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

MISSIONER  AITKEN'S   FAREWELL  SERMON   IN  OLD   TRINITY. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.— The  Missioner  Grateful  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Dix — Going  in  Opposite  Directions — A  Prodigal  Son — 
His  Painful  Confession — Appalling  Disclosures — The  Audience 
Deeply  Moved 591 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

MORNING  SERVICES   FOR  PROMOTION   OF   GROWTH   IN  GRACE. 

PAGE 

Early  Celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion — Services  for  the  Pro- 
motion of  Holiness — Services  for  Women  Only — "Who  is  Mrs. 
Crouch  ?" —  The  After-meetings  —  Inquiry  Meetings  —  Private 
Interviews 597 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

THE   SPECIFIC   OBJECT    OF   MISSION   PREACHERS. 

The  Bewildered  Tourist — Dangerous  Precipices — Brinks  of  Moral 
Danger — Missioners  not  Ranters — How  to  Truly  Repent  and 
Come  to  Christ — Doctrinal  Character  of  Mission  Sermons 606 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

ORATORICAL    GIFTS    OF  THE   MISSIONERS. 

The  most  Successful  Preachers — The  Source  of  Pulpit  Power — The 
Rev.  R.  B.  Ransford— The  Rev.  E.  W.  Warren— The  Very 
Rev.  Dean  Hart— The  Rev.  G.  R.  Van  De  Water— The  Rev. 
Mr.  Thompson— The  Rev.  J.  Stephens 610 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE   REV.    W.    HAY   AITKEN,    M.A. 

His  First  Evangelistic  Labors — A  Curate  at  St.  Jude's  Church — The 
Vicar  of  Everton  —  His  Personal  Appearance  —  His  Style  of 
Oratory  — His  Churchmanship  — "  Pure,  Genial  Mirthfulness, 
Here  and  in  Heaven  " 619 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

THE  MANIFEST   RESULTS    OF    THE   ADVENT   MISSION. 

The  Mission  a  Benefit  to  the  Clergy — To  Laymen— To  Non-Com- 
municants— Summary  of  the  Mission's  Results — Testimony  of 
the  New  York  Independent— The  Rev.  Dr.  Satterlee  Hopeful— 
The  Parochial  Mission  Society °25 

CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

THE  NEW   YORK   ADVENT   MISSION   FLAME   EXTENDING. 

The  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford  in  Detroit— His  Cordial  Reception— The 
Bishop  and  the  Clergy  Heartily  Co-operate  with  the  Missioner— 
General  Interest  in  the  Services °35 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

MISSIONS    IN    NASHVILLE    AND     NEW    ORLEANS.  PAGB 

Reception  of  the  Missioncrs — Missioner  Aitken  Interviewed — The 
Unusual  Interest  in  the  Services — A  Good  Word  for  Evangelist 
Moody — Work  for  Christ  Important  —  Converts  not  like  a 
Wound-up  Watch — Farewell  Greetings 637 

CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

FAREWELL   SERVICES    IN    EAST   ORANGE,    N.   J. 

The  Rink  Crowded— The  Addresses  of  Bishops  Starkey  and  Potter 
— The  Reply  by  Missioner  Aitken  —  The  Farewell  Sermon  — 
Three  Thousand  People  Patiently  Listen — The  Closing  Extem- 
pore Prayer — The  Solemn  Stillness 646 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

THE  .EVANGELISTS   HOMEWARD   BOUND. 

Farewell  Salutations — The  Missioner's  "God  Bless  You!" — Safe 
Arrival  in  England — Reception  in  London — Missioner  Aitken's 
Opinion  of  the  Church  in  America — Missioner  Pigou's  Impres- 
sions of  the  Church  in  America 653 

CHAPTER  XL. 

EZEKIEL'S   VISION    OF    THE   RESURRECTION. 

The  Valley  full  of  Bones — Sin-dead  Souls  Quickened — The  South 
London  Mission — The  Bishop  of  Lichfield's  Lay  Evangelists — 
Financial  Proof  of  Religious  Vitality — The  Late  Bishop  of  Man- 
chester— Missioner  Aitken  at  Cambridge — The  Parochial  Mis- 
sion Spreading — American  Missioners  Increasing — The  Mission 
in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  Syracuse — Missions  in  Other  Cities 656 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

THE  BISHOPS   OF    THE   DIOCESE   OF   NEW    YORK. 

Bishop  Horatio  Potter's  Permission  to  Use  an  Abbreviated  Liturgical 
Service — Bishop  Henry  C.  Potter's  Address  to  the  Clergy — His 
Sermons  to  Women — "  WThat  is  Personal  Wholeness  ?" — A  Strik- 
ing Incident — Suddenly  Saved — Suddenly  in  Paradise 665 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

FATHER    OSBORNE    AT    TRINITY    CHURCH. 

The  Battle  of  the  Cross  of  Christ — Description  of  the  Preacher — 
The  Ministers  the  Times  Need — "  The  Church  must   be  WTide 


CONTENTS. 


and  Flexible  in  its  Methods" — "The  Armory  of    Heaven  is  not 
Empty  "   , . . .   672 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

TIMELY    PREPARATION    FOR    A    MISSION    ESSENTIAL. 

Miscellaneous  Services  not  a  Mission — Before  the  Mission — During 
the  Mission — After  the  Mission — Applications  for  Missioners — 
The  Rev.  Father  Hall — His  Judicious  Advice — The  Bishop  of 
Bedford — "  A  Mission  is  a  Beginning,  not  an  Ending  " 686 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

THE    RALLYING    POWER    OF    REVIVAL    HYMNS. 

How  the  Early  Methodists  Learned  Theology — The  "Marseillaise" 
— "Rule  Britannia" — "The  Star-Spangled  Banner" — "Hold 
the  Fort " — Hymn  by  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Coxe,  1840 — Final  Victory 
Assured 693 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

EXTRACTS    FROM   LETTERS    RESPECTING  THE  ADVENT   MISSION. 

Letter  from  Yeovil,  England— From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pliny  B.  Morgan 
— From  the  Rev.  Robert  Paul — From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Townsend — 
From  Bishop  Littlejohn — From  Bishop  Huntington 697 

CHAPTER    XLVI. 

THE    AUTHOR'S    FAREWELL. 

The  Symbolic  Mission  Angel — Spiritual  Sunshine — A  Comprehensive 
Prayer — Missioners  Departing — A  Premature  Question  Reiter- 
ated— The  Author's  Portrait  Camera — Its  Lenses  Catholic 
— Desire  to  be  Accurate — Christ,  let  me  come  to  Thee — The 
Gloria  Patri 1 , 705 


INTRODUCTORY. 


Numerous  questions  have  been  asked  concerning  the 
"Parochial  Mission:"  (a)  "  Why  do  we  need  ''the  mission* 
when  the  Rectors,  through  the  parish  system,  may  do  all  that  the 
mission  proposes V  Since  the  institution  of  "the  parish 
system"  the  times  have  changed,  and  its  primitive  effi- 
ciency has  almost  departed.  In  a  primitive  parish  the  mayor 
was  a  secular  ruler,  the  Rector  an  ecclesiastical  ruler. 
No  aspiring  alderman  could  usurp  the  functions  of  the 
mayor  ;  no  ambitious  ecclesiastic  could  exercise  the  func- 
tions of  the  instituted  Rector.  Even  a  secular  teacher  could 
not  impart  instruction  within  the  limits  of  parish  boun- 
daries without  the  Rector's  consent.  But  after  the  "  Ref- 
ormation" the  "  de-formation"  of  the  parish  system  began. 
Under  the  "  Toleration  Act"  Christians  were  permitted  to 
conduct  religious  services  in  any  mode  that  most  pleased 
them.  Yet  for  many  years  whoever  would  not  willingly 
pay  the  amount  assessed  by  the  church-wardens  and 
vestrymen  toward  the  support  of  the  parish,  the  sheriff, 
though  a  bailiff,  seized  the  delinquent's  furniture,  and 
it  was  sold  at  auction  to  cover  the  amount  of  his  in- 
debtedness. But  as  the  years  rolled  on  divisions  among 
the  "  Dissenters,"  who  dissented  from  each  other,  in- 
creased the  number  of  residents  within  parish  boundaries 
who  claimed  the  right  to  worship  "  as  their  fickle 
consciences  approved,"  in  defiance  of  the  Vicar,  or 
Rector,  or   the    Bishop.     Agriculturists,   by    the  payment 


INTRODUCTORY. 


of  a  specified  sum,  as  the  equivalent  for  the  tenth  of  the 
probable  future  harvests,  will  receive  no  "  tithe  bills"  here- 
after. All  who  will  not  avail  themselves  of  this  legal 
"commutation  of  the  tithe  of  the  land"  as  heretofore 
must  pay  their  harvest  tithe  or  its  equivalent  in  money  ; 
for,  though  they  never  enter  the  parish  church,  they  live 
within  the  parish  boundaries.  Long  ago  Churchmen  before 
they  departed  "  this  life"  bequeathed  the  "  tithed  "  lands 
for  the  support  of  the  Church.  Therefore,  is  any  injustice 
done  to  the  farmers  who  live  on  farms  for  a  tenth  of 
the  "  annual  value"  deducted  ?  Should  the  ancient  "  law 
concerning  tithes"  hereafter  be  rescinded,  how  much 
would  the  endowed  parishes  be  compelled  to  deduct  from 
contributions  for  the  support  of  "  foreign  missions,"  and 
the  benevolent  objects  to  which  parish  offertories  now 
enable  the  Rectors  to  contribute  ? 

(b)  "  Ca?i  the  Rector  of  a  parish  limit  the  number  of  re- 
ligious bodies  who  may  worship  God  within  the  parochial  lim- 
its?" In  any  church  or  parish  building  no  services  may  be 
held  without  permission  of  the  Rector  or  church-wardens. 
In  buildings  owned  or  hired  by  "  Dissenters"  there  is  now 
no  law  to  interfere  with  any  of  the  various  forms  of  wor- 
ship. No  Church  "  canon"  nor  secular  statute  can  now 
restrain  their  freedom.  A  church  clergyman  can  prevent 
any  deviation  from  the  established  order  of  worship  in  his 
own  church,  chapel,  or  school-room,  but  he  may  not  in- 
terfere with  the  multiform  forms  or  the  elastic  ritual  of 
other  Christians.  The  eulogized  "  parish  system,"  there- 
fore, is  reduced  to  the  privilege  left  to  a  Rector  or  Vicar  to 
say  only  to  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  :  ct  Your 
request  to  officiate  within  my  parochial  boundaries  I  de- 
cline to  grant. " 

The  same  is  true  respecting  the  diocese.  In  nearly  every 
diocese  in  England  the  Roman  Catholics,  the  Free  Church, 


IN  TROD  UCTOR  Y.  xxix 


the  Reformed  Church,  the  Presbyterians,  the  Methodists, 
the  Congregationalists,  the  Baptists,  the  Quakers,  and 
even  infidels,  claim  the  right  to  hold  public  services  in  any 
diocese  on  Sundays  or  on  week-days.  Though  the  Bishop 
may  say,  "  You  are  trespassers  within  my  diocesan  limits, 
I  bid  you  depart  ;"  like  the  Rector  of  a  parish,  the  Bishop 
is  also  powerless  to  compel  obedience  to  his  mandate  !  So 
in  America,  the  "  Roman  Catholic  Bishop,"  the  "  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Bishop,"  the  "  Protestant  Episcopal 
Bishop,"  the  "  Reformed  Episcopal  Bishop,"  each  claim 
the  same  geographical  territory  ;  but  each  is  powerless  to 
expel  the  rival  claimants.  The  glory  of  the  primitive  dio- 
cesan privileges  and  of  parochial  rights  is  by  different 
bodies  of  Christians  eclipsed.  There  is  but  little  prospect 
that  "  the  parish  system"  will  be  restored  to  its  primitive 
brightness  ;  through  its  eclipse  we  truly  confess,  "  we  have 
left  undone  those  things  which  we  ought  to  have  done. ' ' 

The  Bishop  of  Argyle  says  :  "...  In  the  light  of  the 
Spirit  of  Truth  we  must  learn  to  recognize  not  only 
our  own  weakness  and  feebleness  as  a  portion  of  Christ's 
Church — for  this  is  evident  enough  to  all  the  world — ■ 
but  we  must  learn  also  to  recognize  our  own  sinfulness 
and  unfaithfulness,  our  own  worldliness  and  lukewarm- 
ness.  We  are  surrounded  by  multitudes  of  our  fellow- 
countrymen  who  believe  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
worship  Him  as  God,  who  rely  upon  His  atoning  death, 
who  hope  for  His  return,  and  yet  who  seem  to  us  not  to 
be  following  Him  fully  in  the  ways  of  His  Church.  Let  us 
never  venture  to  lift  up  ourselves  against  such  in  a  spirit 
of  self-complacency.  We  may  rejoice  in  possessing  an 
apostolic  ministry,  and  give  thanks  that  the  Divine  Pres- 
ence of  Jesus  in  His  Holy  Sacrament  has  not  been  with- 
drawn from  our  altars.  But  what  will  these  blessings  avail 
us  in  the  Day  of  Judgment  if,  in  spite  of  all,  we  ourselves 


xxx  IN  TROD  UCTOR  Y. 


shall  then  be  weighed  in  the  balances  and  be  found  want- 
ing ?  In  that  great  day  it  is  to  be  feared  that  there  will  be 
many  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Churchmen  on  the  left  hand 
who  will  receive  only  the  sorer  condemnation  on  account 
of  their  high  privileges  ;  while  on  the  right  hand  it  is  cer- 
tain that  multitudes  will  find  mercy,  who,  though  by  de- 
vious paths,  have  at  last  attained  unto  Him  in  whom  alone 
is  eternal  salvation,  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord.  Let  us  see  to 
it,  then,  that,  realizing  our  own  shortcomings,  we  shun  all 
self-sufficient  pride  or  arrogance  in  i:riought,  word,  or  deed 
toward  those  of  our  brethren  round  about  us  who  call  upon 
the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  yet  who  follow 
not  with  us.  .  .  .  Reflections  suggested  by  such  ques- 
tions as  these  must  of  necessity  humble  us,  and,  if  we  are 
being  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  shall  not  only  be  contrite 
toward  God,  but  also  modest  and  charitable  in  all  we  say 
and  do  with  regard  to  other  Christian  brethren,  remem- 
bering always  that  humility  and  charity  are  not  only  con- 
sistent with,  but  should  be  the  necessary  outcome  of  strong 
conviction,  when  that  conviction  is  based  upon  truth." 

English  Bishops  confess  that  if  "  the  parish  system"  may 
not  be  supplemented  by  special  Evangelistic  efforts  the 
object  for  which  the  parish  was  instituted — the  spiritual 
nurture  of  all  within  its  limits — must  hopelessly  fail. 

(c)  ' '  Will  not  the  adoption  of  the  Parochial  Mission  inter- 
fere with  the  rights  of  Rectors 7"  No  Missioner  may  per- 
form any  official  act  in  an  Episcopal  Church  without  the 
special  invitation  or  consent  of  its  Rector.  In  view  of 
the  present  condition  of  our  "  parish  system,"  to  co-oper- 
ate with  the  Rectors  of  parishes,  to  bring  back  some  of  those 
who  have  wandered  or  have  been  overlooked,  and  to  repaiT 
its  breaches,  break  up  the  fallow  ground,  and  sow  abundant- 
Gospel  seed  that  will  bring  forth  much  fruit  is  the  desire 
of  earnest  Missioners. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


(d)  "  What  privileges  has  a  parish  Rector  in  any  city,  or  town% 
or  village  that  a  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  or  any  other  clergyman 
who  is  not  a  Churchman  does  not  possess  ?"  The  answer  to  this 
question  is  reserved  for  a  revised  edition  of  "  The  Church 
Revived."  But  the  author  now  unites  with  a  Bishop  in 
urging  with  emphasis  that  the  mission  cannot  take  the 
place  of  the  pastorate.  It  does  not  pretend  to  complete 
anything,  but  only  drafts  men  as  raw  recruits  who  must 
consent  to  be  taught,  examined  and  advised,  as  is  required 
of  all  other  catechumens. 

Missioners  are  loyal  Churchmen.  They  preach  no  new  doc- 
trines, teach  no  new  precepts,  prescribe  no  new  mode  of  ac- 
cepting the  Saviour,  advocate  no  new  principles  of  religious 
life  ;  but,  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  they  hold  forth 
the  torch  of  the  Gospel  to  show  the  way  into  Christ's 
Church  on  earth.  Missioners  dearly  love  their  Church, 
and  strive  to  do  what  will  promote  her  influence  and  add 
to  her  membership.  In  a  missionary  anniversary  sermon 
by  Bishop  Huntington,  preached  in  Calvary  Church,  he 
said  :  '  It  is  well  to  mend,  to  oil  church  machinery  ;  but 
into  it  let  the  living  creatures  of  Ezekiel's  symbolic  vision 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  come.  God  will  forgive  us  if,  in  our 
effort  to  save  our  brother,  here  or  there  we  make  a  mis- 
take or  overlook  some  prudent  caution.'  ' 

"  Let  unsaved  souls  in  my  parish  perish,  if  they  cannot  be 
converted  under  my  own  ministrations,"  if  not  uttered  in 
words,  has  sometimes  been  declared  by  the  actions  of  Rec- 
tors who  are  not  Calvinistic  !  But  the  number  who  thus 
act  is  rapidly  growing  smaller  ;  and  Missioners  will  oftener 
hear  the  request  :  "  How  soon  can  you  come  and  aid  me 
by  conducting  a  mission  in  my  parish  ?" 

(e)  "As  the  Saviour  founded  His  Church  for  the  benefit  of  all 
people,  in  all  places,  until  the  e?id  of  the  Gospel  age,   and  the 

soul  need  of  the  human  race   is   everywhere   and   always 


INTRODUCTORY. 


the  same,  and  the  Gospel  amply  provides  for  every  true 
need  of  the  soul,  as  well  as  for  the  soul  needs  of  all 
people,  while  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints  no 
one  may  take  from  it  nor  add  to  it,  is  not  the  parochial 
mission  a  modern  innovation  on  the  established  parish 
system  ? " 

Modes  of  alluring  sinners  to  the  Saviour  have  varied 
with  the  exigencies  of  different  times  and  the  idiosyncrasies 
of  the  people.  The  Missioners  of  the  apostolic  era  did  not 
confine  their  proclamation,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God," 
etc.,  to  the  Lord's  Day,  nor  their  immediate  successors  to 
Sundays  and  saints'  days.  Through  Gospel  missions  dio- 
ceses were  first  formed,  and  successive  heathen  nations  be- 
came parts  of  Christendom  ;  but  as  years  rolled  on,  and 
persecution  ceased,  the  Church  was  rocked  in  the  rich 
cradle  of  regal  patronage  until  she  slumbered,  and  Evan- 
gelistic missions  were  gradually  discontinued.  A  few  years 
ago  a  long-forgotten  endowment  fund  for  the  support  of 
11  itinerant  clergymen,"  to  do  "  the  work  of  Evangelists" 
in  England  was  discovered.  A  fund  under  the  control  of 
Canterbury  Cathedral  his  recently  been  augmented  for 
the  support  of  diocesan  Missioners,  who  will  not  "lose 
their  seat  in  convocation"  because  they  are  not  Rectors 
of  parishes,  but  will  form  part  of  the  Cathedral  clergy. 

(/)  "Why  are  the  sermons  preached  at  missions  more  effec- 
tive than  the  Rector's  sermons?"  Amission  is  the  intensifi- 
cation of  "  the  means  of  grace."  Victories  on  the  battle- 
field are  gained  through  concentration  of  the  powers  of 
warfare  and  the  persistency  of  the  warriors  in  attacking 
the  enemy.  Vast  fortunes  are  made  through  the  combi- 
nation of  modern  modes  of  banking  and  the  monopolies 
of  certain  branches  of  business.  Oceans  are  practically 
bridged  and  continents  united  through  the  concentration 
of  the  expanding  force  of  steam.    Commercial  and  friendly 


INTRODUCTORY. 


converse  between  friend  and  bankers  on  either  side  of 
oceans  is  now  daily  held  through  submarine  cables. 
Through  the  intensification  of  the  elements  of  light  mod- 
ern electric  lamps  turn  night  into  day.  On  the  eve  of  a 
Presidential  election  political  forces  are  concentrated,  and 
campaign  orators  loudly  eulogize  the  candidate  they  most 
admire.  And  to  move  others  to  admire  him,  and  to  vote 
for  him,  they  grow  hoarse  depicting  his  virtues  and  his 
rival's  viciousness  ! 

In  the  material  and  political  realms  wonders  are 
achieved  through  intensification  of  the  physical  and  ora- 
torical means  to  achieve  them.  "  The  God  of  nature"  is 
also  "  the  God  of  grace  ;"  and  the  rapid  succession  of  mis- 
sion sermons  awaken  dormant  energies  and  produce  spirit- 
ual wonders.  The  sermons  preached  by  Rectors  make 
good  impressions,  but  during  the  intervening  week-days 
the  cares  for  the  things  of  this  life  obliterate  or  weaken 
the  good  impressions  respecting  what  is  heavenly.  Why 
do  the  majority  of  most  congregations  leave  the  church 
just  before  the  exhortation  "  to  eat  of  that  Bread  and 
drink  of  that  Cup,"  and  through  "  a  lively  faith"  receive 
great  benefit  ?  At  times,  year  after  year,  they  have  been 
'•  almost  persuaded  ;"  through  the  mission  they  may  be 
"  fully  persuaded."  Impression  added  to  impression  facil- 
itates decision  of  the  will  ;  and  at  missions  many  who 
have  procrastinated  say  :  "  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we 
will  serve  the  Lord,"  or"I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  Father, 
and  will  say  unto  Him,  Father,  I  have  sinned  against  Thee, 
and  am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  Thy  son."  After  the 
mission  the  Rector  may  lead  them  to  the  banquet  of 
Church  nurture,  to  receive  sacramental  strength  to  reach 
the  realms  of  glory.  In  our  churches  are  many  persons 
who  are  called  moral,  but  who  have  not  been  baptized. 
If  told   that  they  are  no   more   Christians   than   men    who 


INTRODUCTORY. 


should  call  themselves  "  Masons"  or  "  Odd  Fellows"  who 
have  not  taken  the  first  degree  of  initiation  at  any  lodge, 
they  would  feel  insulted.  "  The  moral  but  not  religious 
(this  is  not  a  paradox)  are  always  dangerous  persons  in 
our  congregations.  Their  examples  satisfy  some  to  remain 
moral  only.  It  may  be  questioned,  Is  a  man  moral  who  is 
not  baptized,  confirmed,  a  communicant  ?  but  thousands  of 
young  men,  and  others,  will  not  stop  to  make  the  distinc- 
tion ;  with  them  a  moral  man  is  a  good  man  ;  but  if  God's 
Spirit  is  not  there,  the  morality  is  a  snare,  and  not  a  grace. 
To  make  the  moral  truly  religious  is  one  aim  of  the  mis- 
sion, and  an  important  one/'* 

(g)  As  "  retreats' '  for  Clergy  and  Missioners  are  a  Roman 
Catholic  institution,  what  good  may  be  expected?"  So 
are  dazzling  celebrations,  and  the  poverty  of  the  priest- 
hood. Still,  some  clergymen  of  "  our  Church"  admire  a 
gorgeous  ritual.  Though  Presbyters  have  not  taken 
"  the  vow  of  poverty,"  some  rich  laymen  compel  many 
involuntarily  to  become  very  poor  !  Retreats  are  concen- 
trated devotional  services,  that  prepare  the  clergy  for  more 
efficient  service  as  the  ambassadors  for  Christ.  ' '  The  clergy 
themselves  require  '  stirring  up.'  All  clergy  do.  Routine 
is  our  danger.  Ember-days  are  not  for  the  persons  to  be 
ordained  only ;  the  '  old  minister'  also  requires  prayer 
and  unction. "f 

(//)  "  Is  not  the  after-meeting  equivalent  to  the  mourner's 
bench,  or  kneeling  at  the  altar  to  be  prayed  for  ?  A  be- 
loved Bishop  who  is  now  in  Paradise  yet  speaketh  :  "  The 
after-meeting  is  by  general  consent  declared  to  be  the 
most  valuable  feature  of  the  mission.  I  conjecture  that  it 
is  the  most  difficult  of  all  to  secure  and  guide.  So  im- 
portant  is  it  to  use  personal  intercourse,  that  I  would  en- 

*  "  Timely  Topics,"  by  the  Rev.  C.  Fair,  D.D.  \  Ibid. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


courage  the  clergy,  with  discreet  lay-helpers,  to  converse 
with  individuals  quietly  and  modestly,  either  in  the  meet- 
ing or  in  the  private  house,  as  opportunity   may   serve." 

(/)  "Are  not  the  requests  for  prayers  at  missions  equiva- 
lent to  a  person  holding  up  his  hand  or  standing  up  to  be 
prayed  for?"  "  They  are  the  same  in  principle  as  when  the 
prayers  of  the  congregation  are  asked  for  a  '  sick  person,' 
and  all  the  other  reasons  for  which  prayers  are  offered." 
Nothing  can  be  more  healthy  in  the  spiritual  life  of  a  con- 
gregation than  "  requests  for  prayers  ;"  and  if  a  mission 
draws  out  these  "desires,"  let  us  thank  God  that  the 
people  are  using  this  privilege  of  coming  to  the  throne 
of  grace  for  their  particular  wants."  * 

(/)  "Is  not  a  notice  that  the  Rector  or  Missioner  will  see 
persons  privately  for  spiritual  instruction  in  harmony 
with  a  Roman  Catholic  priest's  invitation  to  "  come  to  the 
confessional"  .?  Some  persons  seem  more  afraid  of  the  con- 
fession of  sin  than  the  commission  of  sin.  Whatever  ob- 
jection may  be  made  respecting  "  private  interviews"  at 
missions,  it  is  in  harmony  with  the  rubric  of  the  first  ex- 
hortation in  the  ante-communion  service,  instructing  the 
minister  to  give  warning,  saying  :  "  If  there  be  any  of 
you  .  .  .  who  cannot  quiet  his  own  conscience,  ...  let 
him  come  to  me  or  to  some  other  Minister  of  God's  word, 
and  open  his  grief,  that  he  may  receive  such  godly  counsel 
and  advice  as  may  tend  to  the  quieting  of  his  conscience 
and  the  removal  of  all  scruple  and  doubtfulness."  f  Private 
interviews  at  a  mission,  held  in  harmony  with  the  above, 
are  not  to  hear  sins  of  any  kind  confessed,  but  to  assure  the 
inquirer  that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all 
sin,  and  that  "  in  Him  is  plenteous  redemption." 

(k)  "  Will  not  a  flexible  use  of  the  Prayer-book  decrease 

*  "  Timely  Topics."  f  Ibid. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


our  reverence  for  it  ?  The  parochial  mission  is  specially 
designed  for  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  not  solely  for  wor- 
ship. When  the  Rev.  Canon  Knox  Little  preached  his 
fervent  sermons  in  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  had  the  full 
Morning  Prayer  preceded  the  sermon,  only  a  few  could 
have  spared  the  time  to  attend  the  protracted  service. 
When  the  eloquent  Missioner  Aitken  preached  in  "  Old 
Trinity  "  only  a  few  persons  would  have  been  present  had 
they  not  known  that  a  brief  service  would  precede  the 
sermon. 

(/)  "Are  extempore  prayers,  however  brief,  permitted  by 
any  canon  or  rubric  ?"  The  old  "  Bidding  Prayer"  of  the 
Church  specified  the  subjects  of  prayer,  but  left  the  words 
to  be  supplied.  Were  not  these  words,  so  supplied,  ex- 
tempore ?  When  the  Bishop  at  ordination  desires  the  con- 
gregation "  to  make  their  humble  supplications  to  God," 
an  opportunity  is  given  where  the  personal  breathing  forth 
of  every  heart  has  authorized  vent.  This  special  occasion 
at  ordination  gives  us  the  principle  that  upon  like  urgency 
the  "  supplications  of  the  congregation"  can  be  personally 
expressed.*  "  Though  a  special  service  was  used,  it  was 
Liturgical,  and  the  prayers  were  all  taken  from  the  Prayer- 
book  or  else  from  the  Bible.  Thus  the  Liturgy  was  hon- 
ored, and  the  words  of  the  Prayer-book  made  familiar  to 
many  ears  unaccustomed  to  its  use.  With  the  exception 
of  a  brief  extempore  prayer  by  the  Rector  at  the  morning 
service,  and  another  by  him  at  the  close  of  the  evening  ser- 
vice, and  sometimes  one  by  the  Missioner  at  the  same  ser- 
vice, all  the  worship  was  Liturgical.  The  liberty  of  extem- 
poraneous devotions  was  at  all  times  tempered  and  chas- 
tened by  the  spirit  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer."  f 

If    Churchmen    are    expected    to    do    nothing    that  the 

*  "  Timely  Topics."  f  The  Rev.  Dr.  McKim. 


JXTRODUCTORV. 


Roman  Catholics  or  Episcopal  Methodists  do,  much  good 
may  be  "  left  undone  !"  The  parochial  mission  is  con- 
ducted in  harmony  with  the  Prayer-book  ;  and  the  ap- 
propriateness of  the  parts  selected  have  surprised  persons 
present  at  the  services  who  were  not  familiar  with  the 
variety  of  its  devotional  riches.  The  Prayer-book  con- 
tains what  is  most  appropriate  for  sober  Evangelistic  ser- 
vices ;  and  when  Church  Missioners  depart  from  Church 
lines  they  will  limit  their  usefulness. 

In  the  different  religious  bodies  are  many  persons  who 
believe  in  the  Apostles'  Creed,  sing  the  "  Venite,"  the  "  Te 
Deum,"and  the  "  Gloria,"  and  offer  prayers  in  our  Book 
of  Common  Prayer.  Why  should  Churchmen  be  so  sensi- 
tive if  something  done  at  missions  to  save  souls  who  are 
perishing  borders  on  modes  that  other  Christians  use  to 
reach  the  same  end  ?  It  may  not  be  for  the  welfare  of  our 
Church  to  enthrone  "  quiet"  as  an  idol  and  anathematize 
holy  fervor.  The  mission  is  analogous  to  the  mission  of 
John  Baptist,  who  said  :  "  I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying,  in 
the  wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord  !" 

11  What  more  was  wanted  than  that  which  the  Church 
has  ever  offered—frequent  communions,  constant  services, 
prayer  and  praise,  simple,  earnest  preaching,  spiritual  de- 
votions, the  Scriptures  explained,  and  the  full  exercise  and 
expansion  of  every  principle  the  Church  permits  ?  If  aught 
more  was  done,  great  is  the  responsibility  on  him  who 
was  more  ardent  than  discreet."  * 

In  the  excellent  address  at  the  devotional  service  for  the 
Rectors  and  Missioners  the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D., 
in  substance  said  :  "  The  parochial  mission  is  entirely  on 
the  line  of  the  Church's  essential  principles  of  life  and 
work,  as  outlined  in  the  services  for   Advent,   which   the 


"  Timely  Topics.' 


INTRODUCTORY. 


mission  is  to  fill  up  and  fill  out.  The  Collect,  Epistle,  and 
Gospel  for  the  Sunday  preceding  Advent  Sunday  are  in 
full  harmony  with  its  spirit  ;  and  that  the  small  quantity 
of  the  loaves  and  fishes  to  feed  the  multitude,  as  described 
in  the  Gospel,  teach  us  our  own  insufficiency  to  do  the 
great  work  of  the  mission  without  the  Divine  blessing.* 

(pi)  "  Is  this  to  be  known  as  a  year  of  Christian  revival? 
Shall  we  have  a  general  revival?"  \ 

"  God's  Spirit  is  moving  among  the  churches,  inspiring 
them  with  new  courage,  silencing  controversy,  subduing 
strife,  drawing  them  nearer  together  in  Christian  love. 
What  does  the  Episcopal  mission  indicate  ? 

V1  We  have  yet  to  hear  the  first  jealous  or  disparaging 
note  from  Christians  of  any  name  as  to  the  character  and 
results  of  the  Episcopal  mission.  Everybody  is  glad  that 
the  services  were  well  attended,  that  a  profound  impres- 
sion was  made,  and  that  there  has  been  a  real  revival.  We 
point  with  "Christian  pride  and  gladness  to  this  evidence  of 
a  growing  apostolic  fellowship. 

11  We  have  yet  to  notice  the  first  indication  of  party  feel- 
ing in  the  Episcopal  Church  itself  over  this  innovation. 
All  parties  are  represented  in  the  movement  ;  and  there 
has  been  no  rivalry,  no  sneering,  no  flings  at  Evangelical, 
Ritualist,  or  Broad  Churchman.  The  mission  has  been 
characterized  by  the  best  Christian  feeling,  by  harmony, 
and  by  unity.  Is  it  a  small  thing  that  there  should  be  no 
discordant  note,  as  well  as  no  jealous  or  disparaging  note? 

"  We  have  yet  to  hear  a  single  regret  expressed  that  this 
series  of  meetings  was  planned  by  churches  of  diverse  ten- 
dencies, or  that  the  methods  pursued  should  be  so  similar 
to  those  adopted  by  other  denominations.     Direct  appeals 

*  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  V.,  Chapter  III. 
f  Editor  of  the  Independent. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


to  the  unconverted,  exhortations  after  the  sermon,  extem- 
poraneous prayers,  subdued  ritual,  after-meetings,  per- 
sonal approach  in  the  pews,  revival  hymns,  questioning 
the  congregation,  and  other  features  of  the  revival  meeting 
all  adopted  without  public  protest  !  Is  there  nothing  note- 
worthy in  this  ?" 


THE    CHURCH    REVIVED 


PART    I. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND  SLUMBERING. 

The  Antiquity  of  the  Anglican  Church — Retention  of  the  Ancient 
Churches  and  Seats  of  Learning — Churchmen  and  Dissenters 
Nodding — A  Reign  of  Moral  Darkness — Churches  Deserted, 
but  Places  of  Amusement  Crowded — Church  Serenity. 

The  Anglican  Church,  a  branch  of  Christ's  Catholic  and 
Apostolic  Church,  was  planted  in  Britain  at  an  early  period 
of  the  Christian  era.  In  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  she  was 
reformed,  and  freed  from  the  usurpation  of  a  foreign 
bishop.  Doctrinal  incrustation  was  removed,  what  was 
apostolic  in  doctrine  or  primitive  in  polity  were  restored  ; 
and  after  her  reformation  her  creed  was  comprehen- 
sive and  her  liturgy  scriptural.  She  retained  posses- 
sion of  England's  renowned  universities,  the  ivy-crowned 
churches,  revered  abbeys,  and  capacious  cathedrals,  and 
was  protected  by  Parliament  from  foreign  interference. 
After  a  long  period,  and  when  not  oppressed,  rocked  by 
kings  and  queens  in  the  cradle  of  royal  luxuries,  she  again 
and  again  slumbered  and  slept. 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Cathedrals  and  abbeys  resembled  cemeteries  for  spirit- 
ually dead  souls  as  well  as  for  literally  dead  bodies.  The 
color  of  the  paper  on  which  sermons  were  written  showed 
that  they  had  done  service  to  congregations  dead  and 
buried.  In  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  the  oratory  of  an  Easter 
sermon  on  Christ's  resurrection  would  have  been  oratori- 
cally  dull  for  a  sermon  on  the  death  of  an  ordinary  man. 
During  its  delivery  the  choristers  amused  themselves  and 
diverted  the  attention  of  the  few  hearers  who  were  not 
asleep  or  nodding.  In  many  parish  churches  there  was  a 
correspondence  between  the  decaying  buildings  and  the 
drearily  rendered  services,  a  drawling  duet  between  the 
parson  and  the  clerk  who  said  the  responses,  sometimes 
nodded  in  sight  of  the  people,  and  said  "  Amen"  at  the 
wrong  time.  The  vocal  laudanum  from  the  pulpit  made 
people  slumber  in  church  who  had  been  sleepless  at  home. 
Some,  who  loved  the  old  historic  Church  and  admired  her 
liturgy,  chose  the  excessive  fervor  in  the  Dissenters' 
Chapel  to  the  excessive  refrigeration  in  their  parish 
church. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  Lichfield,  in  1724,  described  the  Lord's 
Day  as  "  the  Devil's  Market  Day."  The  Rev.  John  Clay- 
ton, in  1736,  said  :  "  Wickedness  is  grown  to  such  a  head 
in  the  world,  immorality  and  profaneness  are  become  so 
epidemic  among  us,  that  it  is  much  to  be  feared  nothing 
but  discipline  and  wholesome  vigor  can  prove  a  cure  for 
it.  The  infection  of  vice  is  extended  so  far  and  wide,  and 
the  contagion  of  sin  spread  so  prodigiously  fast,  that  it 
seems  necessary  to  use  severe  methods  toward  the  cor- 
rupted parts  if  we  hope  either  to  recover  them  or  save 
those  that  are  yet  untouched  with  the  disease.  God 
knows  the  flagrant  iniquity  of  our  days,  the  excessive  cor- 
ruption of  the  dregs  of  time  .  .  .  for  which  charity  can 
find    no  sufficient  excuse  or  extenuation."     As  this  was  a 


THE    C1ICTC11   OF  ENGLAND   SLUMBERING. 


true  picture,  the  high  sheriff  and  Grand  Jury  of  London 
requested  that  the  sermon  be  published.  Even  the  palace 
was  not  a  place  of  social  purity  ;  vice  was  rampant  in  high 
places,  and  the  "  masses"  were  vicious  and  brutal.  Addison 
used  his  powerful  pen  to  inprove  "  the  public  taste,"  cor- 
rect the  "  public  morals,"  and  to  check,  if  not  "  stop  the 
overwhelming  progress  of  corruption."  The  renowned 
seats  of  sacred  learning  had  become  centres  of  soul  danger. 
Students  of  promise  were  surrounded  by  companions  who 
studied  not,  spent  the  night  in  revelry,  and  were  more 
dangerous  than  undisguised  libertines.  The  majority  of 
candidates  for  ordination  were  M  ignorant  of  the  Bible  and 
Catechism,  and  unfit  to  have  the  cure  of  souls."  Bishop 
Burnet  said  "  the  season  for  ordination  was  the  grief  and 
burden  of  his  life."  Once  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  that  I  had 
wings  like  a  dove,  for  then  would  I  fly  away,  and  be  at 
rest/'  On  the  fly-leaf  of  a  volume  of  Dr.  Bayley's  ser- 
mons, in  the  Lichfield  Cathedral  Library,  is  an  autograph 
remark,  "  No  Christianity  here  !" 

As  years  rolled  on,  while  the  Church  slumbered,  the 
Dissenters  also  nodded,  and  moral  evils  triumphed.  Within 
sound  of  chiming  church  bells,  pealing  organs,  and  Non- 
conformists' services,  iniquity  stalked  abroad.  In  re- 
gions where  churchmen  worshipped,  holding  golden-clasp- 
ed prayer-books,  and  Dissenters  sang,  holding  gilt-edged 
"  Watts"  or  "  Rippon"  hymn-books,  God  was  defied. 
Within  sound  of  their  voices  pickpockets  stole,  drunkards 
staggered,  and  the  profane  blasphemed. 

The  moral  sky  was  covered  with  blackness.  The  litera- 
ture of  the  time  was  debasing.  The  people's  literary  taste 
was  gross.  Writers  of  satires  on  religion  and  of  licentious 
humor  were  popular.  Immorality,  profanity,  and  fla- 
grant impiety  were  epidemic.  Churchmen  held  up  for  ad- 
miration   their   organic    Church    candlestick,    but    it   con- 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


tained  a  dimly-burning  taper  light.  The  ecclesiastical  cup, 
which  had  descended  from  the  Apostles,  was  richly  chased 
wilh  canons  and  rubrics,  but  contained  very  little  of  the 
Water  of  Life.  The  Church  of  England  took  her  ease  as  if 
the  millennium  had  dawned,  and  she  was  no  longer  a  part 
of  Christ's  Church  militant.  In  the  realm  of  Nature  storm 
and  calm  alternate  ;  but  in  the  realm  of  grace  many 
desired  only  serenity  ;  only  a  few  of  the  clergy  prayed  for 
a  Pentecostal  shower  of  blessing.  Choirs  and  people  truly 
sang, 

"  Hosannas  languish  on  our  tongues, 
And  our  devotion  dies." 

Places  of  worship  were  neglected,  but  theatres  and  public 
houses  were  crowded.  The  "  Church's  quiet  ways"  were 
observed,  and  from  Advent  to  Lent,  and  from  Lent  to 
Advent, 

"  All  was  tranquil  and  serene, 
Calm  and  undisturbed  repose." 


THE  CIirRCU    OF  ENGLAND   APATHY 


CHAPTER   II. 

MONUMENTS  OF  THE  CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND  APATHY. 

Wesley  and  His  Followers  Mobbed— Riotous  Conduct  of  a  Dream- 
ing Clergyman — Strange  Actions  of  Magistrates — Methodists 
Caricatured  on  the  Stage— An  Official  Order  for  the  Arrest 
of  Methodist  Preachers. 

For  many  years,  the  houses  in  which  Wesley's  followers 
had  been  mobbed  and  damaged  were  distinguished  by  the 
remaining  marks  of  violence.  Though  he  was  an  accom- 
plished scholar,  a  well-bred  gentleman,  fastidious  respect- 
ing apparel  and  good  manners,  he  travelled  from  place  to 
place  to  arouse  churchmen  and  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  men 
of  low  estate.  When  wonder  was  expressed  that  he  could 
preach  to  the  vulgar  multitude,  he  wittingly  answered  : 
"It  is  hard  for  me  to  be  shallow  enough  for  aristocratic 
auditors."  Ferocious  mobs  attacked  him,  and  tore  his 
clothes  to  tatters.  During  a  pelting  storm,  he  was  pushed 
along  in  the  midst  of  a  mob  in  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  from  magistrate  to  magistrate.  On  more  than 
one  occasion,  the  noise  of  the  mobs  resembled  the  roaring 
of  the  ocean.  The  air  vibrated  with  the  sounds,  "  Knock 
his  brains  out  !"  "  Down  with  him  !"  "  Kill  him  at  once  \" 
One  man  deals  him  a  heavy  blow  on  his  chest,  and  another 
on  his  mouth.  The  blood  gushes  out  ;  but  Wesley  says  : 
11  I  feel  no  more  pain  from  either  than  if  they  had  touched 
me  with  a  straw  !"  On  one  occasion  a  Methodist  was  de- 
livered to  a  mob,  and  the  shout  heard,  "Hurrah,   boys! 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Stand  up  for  the  Church  !''  Magistrates,  and  some  clergy- 
men, sympathized  with  the  mobs.  While  Charles  Wesley 
was  preaching  at  the  Town  Cross,  Nottingham,  and  the 
missiles  were  flying,  the  right  worshipful  the  mayor 
passed  by  laughing.  At  one  place  a  clergyman  hired  a 
man  to  beat  the  town  drum,  went  before  it  himself,  assem- 
bled the  rabble,  and  gave  them  liquor  to  go  with  him  and 
11 fight  for  the  Church  f*  When  an  alderman  of  Notting- 
ham said  to  Wesley,  "  I  wonder  you  cannot  stay  at  home  ! 
You  see  the  mob  won't  suffer  you  to  preach  !"  Wesley 
answered  :  "  I  did  not  know  this  town  was  governed  by  a 
mob  !  Most  towns  are  governed  by  magistrates  !"  Wes- 
ley was  denounced  as  a"  Papist,"  a  "  Jesuit,"  a  "  Fire- 
brand," a  "  Socialist,"  a  "  Revolutionist."  A  vile  carica- 
ture was  printed  to  injure  his  character.  He  was  not  al- 
lowed to  preach  in  Newgate  jail,  lest  he  should  make  the 
prisoners  wicked.  He  was  excluded  from  the  Bedlam  In- 
sane Asylum,  lest  his  preaching  should  drive  the  inmates 
mad.  He  was  burned  in  effigy,  and  on  several  occasions 
dragged  through  the  streets  by  the  hair  of  his  head.  The 
Legislature  was  informed  that  Wesley's  influence  was 
inimical  to  public  security  and  morals,  and  urged  to  adopt 
measures  against  him.  He  was  called  a  "  Sacramen- 
tarian,"  and  nicknamed  a  Riteist  or  Methodist.  A  theatre 
bill  read  : 

For  the  Benefit  of  Mr.  Este, 

By  the  Edinburgh  Company  of  Comedians, 

On  Friday,  November  4th,  will  be  Acted  a  Comedy  : 

"  The  Conscious  Lovers," 

To  which  will  be  added  a  Farce  : 

"Trick  upon  Trick;   or,   Methodism  Displayed." 


THE   CHURCH   OF  ENGLAXP   APATHY. 


Among  the  historic  monuments  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land's spiritual  apatny  is  the  following  : 

"  Staffordshire  (England). 

"  To  all  high  constables,  petty  constables,  and  others  of 
Her  Majesty's  peace-officers  within  said  county. 

"...  These  are,  in  His  Majesty's  name,  to  command 
you,  and  everyone  of  you,  within  your  respective  districts, 
to  make  diligent  search  after  the  Methodist  preachers,  and 
to  bring  him  or  them  before  some  of  His  Majesty's  justices 
of  the  peace  (?)  according  to  their  unlawful  doings. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  and  seals,  this  12th  day  of 
October,  1743. 

(Signed)  •<  j.   Lane. 

"  W.   Pershore." 

Summonses  had  already  been  issued  to  arrest  Mr. 
Wesley.  In  various  parts  of  the  country  divers  rewards 
were  offered  to  any  one  who  would  secure  his  conviction. 

After  the  leader  of  a  mob  had  been  converted  he  was 
asked:  "What  do  you  think  of  Wesley?"  "Think  of 
him  !"  was  the  answer  ;  "  he  is  a  man  of  God  ;  and  God 
was  on  his  side  when  so  many  of  us  could  not  kill  one 
man  !"  In  Staffordshire  the  Methodists  were  fiercely 
assailed  ;  women  were  knocked  down,  and  their  children 
were  allowed  to  wander  up  and  down  the  streets  !  On  one 
occasion  the  mob  divided  into  companies,  marched  from 
village  to  village,  and  for  about  five  miles  they  resembled 
malcontents  when  inciting  civil  war.  As  the  Emperor 
Nero  blamed  the  Christians  for  his  own  misdoings,  so  a 
London  newspaper  published  that  the  rioters,  for  pre- 
tended insults  from  the  Methodists,  the  Church  party,  had 
risen  in  insurrection  against  the  government.  In  Notting. 
ham  the  Methodists  were  driven  from  place  to  place,  and 
pelted  with  any  of  the  missiles  found  in  the  streets. 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    III. 

A     WESLEYAN     PREACHER     ROBBED  ;      THE     THIEVES     ALARMED. 

Three  Young  Gentle7?ie?i  on  a  Spree —  The  Robbers  Asked  to  Kneel 
Down  and  Pray — Afraid  that  a  Spark  may  Ignite  Powder 
— Required  to  Pay  Dearly  for  their  Midnight  Visit — Glad  to 
Give  the  Preacher  all  their  Money — A  New  Chapel  Built. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Wesleyan  agitation  the  very 
solemn  and  the  very  ludicrous  sometimes  commingled. 
The  preachers,  sometimes,  had  cause  to  weep  and  mourn  ; 
but  at  other  times,  to  laugh  and  rejoice  ;  and  as  they  gener- 
ally lived  in  a  state  of  high  pressure,  the  extremes  of  re- 
action kept  their  minds  in  equilibrium.  The  following  illus- 
tration, from  "  Sketches  of  Early  Methodism,"  will  make 
this  evident,  and  also  afford  the  reader  a  little  mental  relief 
from  the  sadness  the  facts  narrated  in  the  preceding  chap- 
ters must  induce. 

Soon  after  the  promulgation  of  Methodism  in  England 
it  spread  with  great  rapidity  over  the  counties  of  Devon 
and  Cornwall,  and  especially  among  the  miners  and  lower 
orders.  For  a  long  period  after  its  introduction  the  clergy 
and  higher  orders  of  society  in  the  West  of  England  mani- 
fested a  degree  of  dislike  to  "  the  new  doctrines,"  which  can 
scarcely  be  imagined  in  these  days  of  modern  toleration. 
It  was  thought  by  many  young  gentlemen  good  sport  to 
break  the  windows  and  nail  up  the  doors  of  a  Methodist 
chapel.  The  robbery  of  a  Wesleyan  preacher,  as  a  spree, 
by  three  young  gentlemen,  became  the  subject  of  judicial 


. /    / VE SL EYAN  P A' EA( ".HE R    A'O /> B E D. 


investigation,  and  the  frolicsome  young  men  had  to  pay 
very  dearly  for  their  practical  joke. 

Among  the  uninstructed  local  preachers  was  one  known 
by  the  name  of  the  "  Old  Gardener."  This  old  man  was 
no  common  character — indeed,  he  was  quite  an  original,  and 
by  far  the  most  popular  preacher  among  the  disciples  of 
John  Wesley  in   that  vicinity.     He   kept  a   small   nursery 

garden    about    two    miles    from    the    town    of    St.   A , 

working  hard  at  his  occupation  as  a  gardener  by  day,  and 
praying  and  preaching  to  his  fellow-sinners,  as  he  called 
them,  in  the  evening.  He  lived  in  the  poorest  manner, 
giving  away  all  the  surplus  of  his  earnings  in  charity,  dis- 
tributing Bibles,  and  promoting  to  the  utmost  of  his  abil- 
ity the  extension  of  Methodism.  His  complexion  was  a 
sort  of  dirty,  dark  iron-gray,  and  his  whole  appearance  lean 
and  grotesque.  Although  extremely  ignorant,  he  pos- 
sessed no  small  degree  of  cunning,  and  great  personal 
courage.  Of  this  the  following  incident  affords  ample  evi- 
dence : 

The  "  Old  Gardener"  was  once  subjected  to  a  burglary 
and  attempt  at  robbery.  He  lived  with  his  wife  in  a  small 
and  somewhat  dilapidated  cottage  not  far  from  the  high 
road.  Three  young  "  squires"  who  had  just  finished  their 
studies  at  the  University,  and  who  all  despised  and  hated 
Methodism,  having  heard  that  the  old  man  had  been  re- 
cently making  a  collection  to  build  a  Methodist  chapel, 
thought  it  would  be  a  good  frolic  to  rob  him  temporarily 
of  the  proceeds  of  his  collection.  The  result  of  the  frolic 
is  best  related  in  the  words  of  one  of  the  actors  : 

"  We  set  out,"  said  he,  "  upon  our  expedition  with 
blackened  faces,  on  a  dark  night,  a  little  before  twelve 
o'clock.  We  had  dined  late,  and  all  of  us  had  Dutch  as 
well  as  Cornish  courage  ;  yet  I  confess,  when  it  came  to 
the  point,  I  felt  myself  a  coward.      I  began   to  reflect  that 


10  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

it  was  but  a  dastardly  frolic  to  frighten  a  poor  old  man 
and  his  wife  in  the  dead  of  the  night. 

"  The  clock  struck  twelve.  '  Now  comes  the  witchinp- 
time  of  night,'  exclaimed  Tom. 

"  '  Don't  let  us  frighten  the  poor  couple  out  of  their 
wits/  said  I. 

"  '  No,'  said  Ryder,  '  we  will  be  gentle  robbers — gentle 
as  Robin  Hood  and  Little  John.' 

"  I  said  that  I  would  rather  travel  back  than  proceed. 
'  Recollect,'  said  I,  '  the  old  fellow  is  an  old  soldier  as  well 
as  a  saint,  and  fears  nothing  human.' 

"  '  Nonsense,'  exclaimed  Ryder  ;   '  here  goes.' 

11  He  pressed  the  feeble  door  of  the  cottage  in  which  the 
old  man  resided  ;  it  immediately  gave  way  and  flew  open. 
We  entered  and  found  ourselves  in  a  sort  of  kitchen.  To 
our  great  surprise,  there  was  a  light  shining  from  an  inner 
room.     This  made  us  hesitate. 

"  *  Who  is  out  there  at  this  time  of  night  ?  '  exclaimed  a 
hoarse  voice  from  within.  I  knew  it  to  be  the  unmistak- 
able voice  of  the  '  Old  Gardener.' 

"  '  Give  us  your  money,  and  no  harm  shall  befall  you/ 
said  Tom,  '  but  we  must  have  your  money.' 

"  '  The  Lord  will  be  my  defence,'  rejoined  the  '  Old 
Gardener.'  '  You  shall  have  no  money  from  me.  All  in 
the  house  is  the  Lord's — take  it  if  you  dare  !  ' 

11  '  We  must  and  will  have  it,'  said  we,  as  we  entered  the 
inner  room,  after  taking  the  precaution  of  fastening  the 
chamber  door  as  we  entered. 

"  We  soon  wished  we  had  suffered  it  to  remain  open,  as 
you  will  see. 

"  Now  consider  us  face  to  face  with  the  '  Old  Gar- 
dener' — and  a  pretty  sight  we  presented.  Three  ruffians 
(ourselves)  with  white  wagoners'  frocks  and  blackened 
faces.     Before  us  the  '  Old  Gardener,'  sitting  on  the  side 


A    WESLEY  AX   PREACHER    ROB  RED.  11 

of  his  bed.  He  wore  a  red  worsted  nightcap,  a  check 
shirt,  and  a  flannel  jacket  ;  his  iron-gray  face,  fringed 
with  a  grizzled  beard,  looking  as  cool  and  undismayed  as 
if  he  had  been  in  the  pulpit  preaching.  A  table  was  by 
the  side  of  the  bed,  and  immediately  in  front  of  him,  on  a 
large  deal  table,  was  an  open  Bible,  close  to  which  we  ob- 
served, to  our  horror,  a  heap  of  gunpowder,  large  enough 
to  blow  up  a  castle.  A  candle  was  burning  on  the  table, 
and  the  old  fellow  had  a  steel  in  one  hand  and  a  large  flint 
in  the  other.  We  were  all  three  completely  paralyzed. 
The  wild,  iron-faced,  determined  look  of  the  '  Old  Gar- 
dener,' the  candle,  the  flint  and  steel,  and  the  great  heap 
of  powder,  absolutely  froze  our  blood,  and  made  cowards 
of  us  all.  The  gardener  saw  the  impression  he  had 
made. 

11  '  What  !  do  you  want  to  rob  and  murder  ?'  exclaimed 
he  ;  '  you  had  better  join  with  me  in  prayer,  miserable 
sinners  that  you  all  are  !  Repent,  and  you  may  be  saved. 
You  will  soon  be  in  another  world  !  ' 

"  Ryder  first  recovered  his  speech. 

11  '  Please  to  hear  me,  Mr.  Gardener.  I  feel  that  we 
have  been  wrong,  and  if  we  may  depart  we  will  make  rep- 
aration, and  give  you  all  the  money  we  have  in  our 
pockets.' 

"  We  laid  our  purses  on  the  table  before  him. 

"  '  The  Lord  has  delivered  you  into  my  hands.  It  was 
so  revealed  to  me  in  a  dream.  We  shall  all  soon  be  in 
another  world.  Pray — let  us  pray.'  And  down  he  fell 
upon  his  knees,  close  to  the  table,  with  the  candle  burning 
and  the  ugly  flint  and  steel  in  his  hand.  He  prayed  and 
prayed.  At  last  he  appeared  exhausted.  He  stopped, 
and  eyed  the  purses  ;  and  then  emptied  one  of  them  out 
on  the  table.  He  appeared  surprised,  and,  I  thought, 
gratified  at  the  largeness  of  its  contents.     We  now  thought 


12  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

we  should  have  to  retire  ;  but  to  our  dismay  the  '  Old 
Gardener  '  said  : 

"  '  Now  we  will  praise  God  by  singing  the  Hundredth 
Psalm.' 

11  This  was  agony  to  us  all.  After  the  psalm  the  old 
man  took  up  the  second  purse  ;  and  while  he  was  examin- 
ing its  contents,  Ryder,  who  was  close  behind  Tom  and 
myself,  whispered  softly  : 

"  '  I  have  unfastened  the  door  ;  when  you  hear  me  move 
make  a  rush.' 

"  The  '  Old  Gardener,'  then  pouring  out  the  contents  of 
the  second  purse,  exclaimed  : 

"  '  Why,  there  is  almost  enough  to  build  our  new  house 
of  God  !     Let  me  see  what  the  third  contains.' 

"  He  took  up  the  third  purse. 

"  '  Now  !  '   whispered  Ryder  ;  '  make  a  rush.' 

"  We  did  so,  and  at  the  same  moment  heard  the  old  fel- 
low hammering  away  with  his  flint  and  steel.  We  ex- 
pected to  be  instantly  blown  into  fragments.  The  front 
door,  however,  flew  open  before  us  ;  the  next  step  we 
found  ourselves  in  the  garden.  The  night  was  pitchy 
dark.  We  rushed  blindly  through  the  nursery  grounds, 
scrambled  through  brambles  and  prickly  shrubs,  ran  our 
heads  against  trees,  then  forced  ourselves  through  a  thick 
hedge.  At  last,  with  scratched  faces,  torn  hands,  and  tat- 
tered clothes,  we  tumbled  over  a  bank  into  the  high  road. 

"  Our  horses  were  soon  found,  and  we  galloped  to 
Ryder's  residence.  Lights  were  procured,  and  we  sat 
down.  We  were  black,  ragged,  and  dirty.  We  looked  at 
each  other,  and,  in  spite  of  our  miserable  adventure,  roared 
with  laughter. 

"  '  We  may  laugh,'  exclaimed  Tom,  '  but  if  this  adven- 
ture is  blown,  and  we  are  found  out,  Cornwall  will  be  too 
hot  for  us  for  the  next  seven  years.     We  have  made  a  pretty 


A    WESLEYAN  PREACHER   ROBBED.  L3 


night  of  it.  We  have  lost  our  money  ;  being  obliged  to 
pretend  to  pray  for  two  long  hours  before  a  great  heap  of 
gunpowder  ;  while  that  iron-faced,  ugly,  red-capped  brute 
threatened  us  all  with  an  immediate  passage  into  eternity  ! 
And  our  money,  forsooth,  must  go  to  build  a  Methodist 
meeting-house  !  Bah  !  It  is  truly  horrible.  The  fellow 
has  played  the  old  soldier  on  us  with  a  vengeance,  and 
we  shall  be  the  laughing-stock  of  the  whole  country.' 

11  The  affair  was  not  yet  ended.  Reports  were  spread 
that  three  men,  disguised  as  black  demons,  with  horns  and 
tails,  had  entered  the  cottage  of  the  '  Old  Gardener,'  who 
had  not  only  terrified  them,  but  had  frightened  them  out 
of  a  good  sum  of  money,  which  he  intended  to  devote  to 
the  building  of  a  new  Methodist  meeting-house.  It  was 
given  out  that  on  the  following  Sunday  the  '  Old  Gar- 
dener '  intended  to  preach  a  sermon,  and  afterward  solicit 
subscriptions  for  the  meeting-house,  when  he  would  relate 
the  remarkable  manner  in  which  he  had  been  providen- 
tially assisted  with  funds  for  the  building.  Our  mortifica- 
tion was  complete.  Tom,  whose  hatred  of  Methodism  was 
intense,  declared  he  would  blow  up  the  meeting-house  as 
soon  as  it  was  built.  Our  curiosity,  however,  was  excited, 
and  we  all  three  determined  to  hear  our  adventure  of  the 
night  related  by  the  '  Old  Gardener,'  if  we  could  contrive 
to  be  present  without  being  suspected.  Sunday  evening 
arrived.  The  meeting-house  was  crammed  to  suffocation, 
and  with  the  dim  lights  then  burning  in  the  chapel  we  had 
no  difficulty  in  concealing  ourselves.  The  sermon  was 
short,  but  the  statement  of  our  adventures  was  related 
most  minutely  and  circumstantially  in  the  old  man's 
quaint,  homely,  and  humorous  phraseology.  This  even- 
ing he  seemed  to  excel  himself,  and  was  exultingly  humor- 
ous. The  eld  fellow's  face  glowed  with  delight  and  satis- 
faction.     '  I  never,'  said  he,  '  saw   black  faces   pray   with 


11  THE   CIIIRCII  REVIVED. 


greater  devotion.  I  have  some  doubt,  however,'  he  slyly 
observed,  '  if  their  prayers  were  quite  heavenward.  They 
sometimes  turned  their  faces  toward  the  door,  but  a  lifting 
of  the  flint  and  steel  kept  them  quiet.' 

"  He  then  added,  with  a  knowing  shake  of  the  head  and 
an  exulting  laugh  :  '  But  they  had  not  smelt  powder  like 
the  old  soldier  whom  they  came  to  rob.  No,  no  ;  it  was 
a  large  heap — ay,  large  enough  to  frighten  old  General 
Clive  himself.  The  candle  was  lighted,  the  flint  and  steel 
were  ready.  You  may  ask,  my  friends,  if  I  myself  was 
not  afraid.  No,  no,  my  dear  friends,'  shouted  he,  '  this 
large  heap  of  apparent  gunpowder  was — it  was  my  stock, 
my  whole  year's  stock  of  leek  (onion)  seed  !  ' 

"  The  whole  congregation  somewhat  irreverently 
laughed  ;  even  the  saints  almost  shouted  ;  many  clapped 
their  hands.  I  was  for  the  moment  stupefied  by  the  an- 
nouncement, but  at  last  could  hardly  suppress  my  own 
laughter. 

11  We  subscribed  to  the  fund  to  avoid  suspicion,  and  left 
the  meeting.  After  the  sermon  we  joined  each  other,  but 
could  not  speak.  We  could  barely  chuckle,  '  Leek-seed,' 
and  then  roared  with  laughter. 

11  It  was  a  good  joke,  though  not  exactly  to  our  taste. 
It  has,  however,  more  than  once  served  for  subsequent 
amusement. 

"  The  chapel  was  built  with  the  money  collected  by  the 
gardener.  Time  and  circumstance  now  induce  me  to  think 
that  there  has  been  no  detriment  to  morality  or  religion  by 
the  erection  of  the  meeting-house  which  the  High  Church 
party  named  '  The  Leek-Seed  Chapel.'  " 


JVESLEYAN   SCHISM  AFTER   II.  /.       1; 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE    WESLEYAN    SCHISM    AFTER    WESLEY'S   DEATH. 

Buckie   Mistaken — Wesley    not  a  Schismatic — Wesley    was  not 
"  Driven  Out  of  the  Church**  of  England — He  Loved  Her  too 

much  to  Leave  Her — His  Desire  that  all  Methodists  Imitate 
His  Example — Twelve  Reasons  to  Induce  them  to  do  so — Fol- 
:rs  do  not  Go  in  an  Opposite  Direction. 

Buckle,  the  talented  and  generally  accurate  historian, 
wrote  that  Wesley  was  "  a  great  schismatic,"  and  that  he 
aimed  to  found  a  system  which  should  "  rival  the  Estab- 
lished Church.''  He  was,  however,  mistaken  ;  for  Wesley, 
two  years  before  his  death,  said  :  "  I  hold  all  the  doctrines 
of  the  Church  of  England.  I  love  her  liturgy.  I  believe 
one  reason  why  God  is  pleased  to  continue  my  life  so  long 
is  to  confirm  the  Methodists  in  their  present  purpose  not  to 
separate  from  the  Church."  To  bind  all  in  fellowship  to 
the  Church,  eighteen  months  before  his  departure  he  re- 
vised and  republished  his  code  of  directions  for  the  guid- 
ance of  the  Methodists,  as  a  society  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. The  question,  "  How  should  an  assistant  be  quali- 
fied for  his  charge?"  is  thus  answered  :  "By  loving  the 
Church  of  England,  and  resolving  not  to  separate  from 
it."  Before  receiving  any  new  candidate,  Wesley  required 
assurance  that  he  "is  no  enemy  to  the  Church."  He 
further  directed  that  every  itinerant  or  local  preacher 
should  be  asked  ;  "  Do  you  constantly  attend  the  church 
and  sacrament  ?"      Every  member  of  a  "  Methodist  Band  " 


16  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


was  bound  to  "  communicate  at  the  parish  church  every 
week."  Each  class-leader  was  directed  by  Wesley  to  ask  : 
"  Do  you  go  to  church  as  often  as  you  ever  did  ?"  Set  the 
example  yourself,  and  immediately  alter  every  plan  that 
interferes  therewith. 

To  prevent  a  schism  either  before  or  after  his  death, 
Wesley  published  twelve  reasons  against  separation  : 

"  Whether  it  be  lawful  or  no  (which  itself  may  be  dis- 
puted, being  not  so  clear  a  Point  as  some  may  imagine)  it 
is  by  no  Means  expedient  for  us  to  separate  from  the  Estab- 
lished Church  : 

"  i.  Because  it  would  be  a  Contradiction  to  the  solemn 
and  repeated  Declarations,  which  we  have  made  in  all 
Manner  of  Ways,  in  Preaching,  in  Print,  and  in  private 
Conversation  : 

11  2.  Because  (on  this  as  well  as  many  other  Accounts) 
it  would  give  huge  Occasion  of  Offense  to  those  who  seek 
and  desire  Occasion,  to  all  the  Enemies  of  God  and  his 
Truth  : 

"  3.  Because  it  would  exceedingly  prejudice  against  us 
many  who  fear,  yea,  who  love  God,  and  thereby  hinder 
their  receiving  so  much,  perhaps  any  farther,  Benefit  from 
our  Preaching  : 

"  4.  Because  it  would  hinder  Multitudes  of  those  who 
neither  love  nor  fear  God,  from  hearing  us  at  all  : 

"  5.  Because  it  would  occasion  many  Hundreds,  if  not 
some  Thousands  of  those  who  are  now  united  with  us,  to 
separate  from  us  ;  yea,  and  some  of  these  who  have  a  deep 
Work  of  Grace  in  their  Souls  : 

"6.  Because  it  would  be  throwing  Balls  of  Wild-fire 
among  them  that  are  now  quiet  in  the  Land.  We  are  now 
sweetly  united  together  in  Love.  We  mostly  think  and 
speak  the  same  thing.  But  this  would  occasion  inconceiv- 
able Strife  and  Contention,  between  those  who  left,  and 


WESLEY  AN   SCHISM  AFTER   WESLEY'S   PEA  Til.       17 


those  who  remained  in  the  Church,  as  well  as  between 
those  who  left  us,  and  those  who  remained  with  us  :  Nay, 
and  between  those  very  Persons  who  remained,  as  they 
were  variously  inclined  one  Way  or  the  other  : 

"7.  Because,  whereas  Controversy  is  now  asleep,  and 
we  in  great  Measure  live  peaceably  with  all  Men,  so  that 
we  are  strangely  at  Leisure  to  spend  our  whole  Time 
and  Strength,  in  enforcing  plain,  practical,  vital  Religion, 
(O  what  would  many  of  our  Forefathers  have  given  to 
have  enjoyed  so  blessed  a  Calm  !)  This  would  utterly 
banish  peace  from  among  us,  and  that  without  Hope  of  its 
Return.  It  would  engage  me,  for  one,  in  a  thousand  Con- 
troversies, both  in  Publick  and  Private  ;  (for  I  should  be 
in  conscience  obliged  to  give  the  Reasons  of  my  Conduct, 
and  to  defend  those  Reasons  against  all  Opposers),  and  so 
take  me  off  from  those  more  useful  Labours,  which  might 
otherwise  employ  the  short  Remainder  of  my  Life  : 

"  8.  Because  to  form  the  Plan  of  a  New  Church  would 
require  infinite  Time  and  Care  (which  might  be  far  more 
profitably  bestowed),  with  much  more  Wisdom  and  greater 
Depth  and  Extensiveness  of  Thought,  than  any  of  us  are 
Masters  of  : 

11  9.  Because  from  some  having  barely  entertained  a  dis- 
tant Thought  of  this,  evil  Fruits  have  already  followed, 
such  as  Prejudice  against  the  Clergy  in  general  ;  and  apt- 
ness to  believe  111  of  them  ;  Contempt  (not  without  a  De- 
gree of  Bitterness)  of  Clergymen  as  such,  and  a  sharpness 
of  Language  toward  the  whole  Order,  utterly  unbecoming 
either  Gentlemen  or  Christians  : 

"  10.  Because  the  experiment  has  been  so  frequently 
tried  already,  and  the  success  never  answer'd  the  Expecta- 
tion. God  has  since  the  Reformation  raised  up  from  Time 
to  Time  many  Witnesses  of  pure  Religion.  If  these  lived 
and  died  (like  John  Arndt,  Robert  Bolton,  and  many  others), 


18  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

in  the  Churches  to  which  they  belonged,  notwithstanding 
the  Wickedness  which  overflowed  both  the  Teachers  and 
People  therein  ;  they  spread  the  Leaven  of  true  Religion 
far  and  wide,  and  were  more  and  more  useful,  till  they 
went  to  Paradise.  But  if  upon  any  Provocation  or  Con- 
sideration whatever,  they  separated,  and  founded  distinct 
Parties,  their  Influence  was  more  and  more  confined,  they 
grew  less  and  less  useful  to  others,  and  generally  lost  the 
Spirit  of  Religion  themselves  in  the  Spirit  of  Controversy  : 

"  ii.  Because  we  have  melancholy  Instances  of  this, 
even  now  before  our  Eyes.  Many  have  in  our  Memory 
left  the  Church,  and  formed  themselves  into  distinct 
Bodies.  And  certainly  some  of  them,  from  a  real  Persua- 
sion, that  they  should  do  God  more  Service.  But  have 
any  separated  themselves  and  prospered  ?  Have  they  been 
either  more  holy,  or  more  useful  than  they  were  before  ? 

"  12.  Because  by  such  a  separation  we  should  not  only 
throw  away  the  peculiar  Glorying  which  God  has  given 
us,  That  we  do  and  will  suffer  all  Things  for  our  Brethren's 
Sake,  tho'  the  more  we  love  them,  the  less  we  be  loved  : 
But  should  act  in  direct  Contradiction  to  that  very  End, 
for  which  we  believe  God  hath  raised  us  up.  The  chief 
Design  of  his  Providence  in  sending  us  out,  is  undoubt- 
edly, To  quicken  our  Brethren.  And  the  first  Message  of 
all  our  Preachers  is,  to  the  lost  Sheep  of  the  Church  of 
England.  Now  would  it  not  be  a  flat  Contradiction  to  this 
Design,  To  separate  from  the  Church  ?  These  Things 
being  considered,  we  cannot  apprehend,  whether  it  be 
lawful  in  itself  or  no,  that  it  is  lawful  for  us  ;  were  it  only 
on  this  Ground,  That  it  is  by  no  means  expedient. — 
/.   Wesley j  A.D.  1758." 

Bishop  White  said  :  "  When  ye  revd.  Charles  Wesley  put 
this  Pamphlet  into  my  Hands,  he  remarked — '  These 
twelve   Reasons,  issued  26  years  ago,  against  separating 


WESLEYAN   SCHISM  AFTER    WESLEY' S  DEATH,      19 

from  ye  Church  of  England,  are  equally  applicable  to 
what  has  been  lately  done  in  America  :'  meaning,  under 
ye  Superintendency  of  Dr.  Coke."  John  Wesley  said,  "  If 
our  service  were  designed  to  be  instead  of  the  Church  ser- 
vice, it  would  be  essentially  defective."  To  Methodists 
at  Deptford  he  wrote  :  "  If  you  are  resolved,  you  may 
have  your  service  in  church  hours.  But  remember  !  From 
that  time  you  will  see  my  face  no  more."  For  the  welfare 
of  the  Church  of  England  he  lived,  and  earnestly  labored. 
His  declaration,  "  I  have  no  desire  nor  design  to  separate 
from  it,  till  my  soul  separates  from  my  body,"  in  view 
of  the  rough  treatment  he  had  received,  proved  how  ar- 
dently he  loved  the  old  historic  Church. 

Through  God's  blessing,  the  labors  of  the  Wesleys 
and  their  fervent  coadjutors  probably  saved  the  Church  of 
England  from  entombment  with  the  seven  historic  churches 
of  Asia  Minor.  Enthusiasm  in  the  Church  of  England  was 
gradually  rekindled.  They  lived  at  a  time  when  it  was  bet- 
ter that  her  polity  suffer  a  little  for  the  free  proclamation 
of  her  doctrine.  Neglected  means  of  grace  were  in  Church 
after  Church  devoutly  used.  Many  nominal  churchmen 
were  stirred  to  keep  their  sacramental  vows  ;  and  the 
slumbering  Church  of  England  was  gradually  aroused. 
Wesley  and  his  co-laborers  were  mobbed  by  churchmen 
who  "  kept  closely  to  the  rubrics,  but  broke  God's  com- 
mandments." His  self-possession,  amid  fury  and  uproar, 
made  his  words  sublime.  His  face  was  often  radiant  with 
holy  love.  His  tones  were  tremulous  with  fervor.  On 
many  occasions,  while  preaching,  he  calmed  turbulent  op- 
position, paralyzed  hostility,  and  melted  hard  hearts.  The 
half-savage  Kingswood  coal  miners  listened,  their  coal- 
dust-begrimed  faces  furrowed  by  tears.  Rioters  became 
peaceful,  drunkards  sober,  and  the  vicious  chaste.  He 
loved  the  Church,  and  only  strove  to  promote  her  welfare 


20  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

by  doing  what  she  left  undone.  He  considered  the  ill- 
treatment  he  received  from  churchmen  as  the  bad  temper 
manifested  by  persons  who  desire  a  little  more  slumber,, 
and  are  annoyed  by  those  who  strive  to  arouse  them. 
When  about  to  depart  to  paradise,  he  prayed  for  God's 
blessing  on  the  Church  of  England. 


WESLEY'S  OFFICIAL  LETTER   TO  METHODISTS. 


CHAPTER   V. 

Wesley's  official  letter  to  methodists  in  America. 

The  Rev.  J.  J Ves ley  had  declined  to  ordain  his  "  travelling 
preachers  "  for  the  English  Methodist  circuits,  saying  : 
4<  I  have  refused,  not  only  for  peace's  sake,  but  because  I 
was  determined  as  little  as  possible  to  violate  '  the  estab- 
lished order  '  of  the  national  Church  to  which  I  belong." 
But  what  he  declined  to  do  for  his  "  societies  in  England  " 
he  consented  to  do  for  his  societies  in  America.  He 
said  :  "  The  case  is  widely  different  between  England  and 
North  America.  In  England  there  are  Bishops,  who  have 
a  legal  jurisdiction.  In  America  there  are  none,  neither 
any  parish  ministers.  So  that  for  some  hundred  miles 
together  there  is  none  either  to  baptize  or  to  administer 
the  Lord's  Supper.  Here,  therefore,  my  scruples  are  at  an 
end  ;  and  I  conceive  myself  at  full  liberty,  as  I  violate  no 
order  and  invade  no  man's  right  by  appointing  and  sending 
laborers  into  the  harvest. 

11  I  have  accordingly  appointed  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr.  Francis 
Asbury  to  be  joint  Superintendents  over  our  brethren  in  North 
America,  as  also  Richard  Whatcoat  and  Thomas  Vasey  to 
act  as  elders  among  them,  by  lecturing  and  administering 
the  Lord's  Supper.  And  I  have  prepared  a  liturgy,  differ- 
ing little  from  that  of  the  Church  of  England  (the  best 
constituted  national  Church  in  the  world),  which  I  advise  all  the 
travelling  preachers  to  use  on  the  Lord's  day  in  all  the 
congregations,  reading  the  Litany  only  on  Wednesdays 
and  Fridays,  and  praying  extempore  on  all  other  days.     I 


22  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

also  advise  the  elders  to  administer  the  supper  of  the  Lord 
on  every  Lord's  day." 

wesley's  official  document. 

"  To  all  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  John  Wesley, 
late  Fellow  of  Lincoln's  College,  in  Oxford,  Presbyter  of 
the  Church  of  England,  sendeth  greeting  : 

"  Whereas  many  people  in  the  Southern  provinces  of 
North  America,  who  desire  to  continue  under  my  care, 
and  still  adhere  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church 
of  England,  are  greatly  distressed  for  want  of  ministers  to 
administer  the  Sacraments  of  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per according  to  the  usage  of  the  same  Church  ;  and 
whereas  there  doth  not  appear  to  be  a?iy  other  way  of  sup- 
plying them  with  ministers  : 

11  Know  all  men  that  I,  John  Wesley,  think  myself  to  be 
providentially  called  at  this  time  to  set  apart  some  persons 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  America,  and  therefore, 
under  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  and  with  a  single 
eye  to  His  glory,  I  have  this  day  set  apart  as  Superintendent 
by  imposition  of  my  hands  and  prayer  (being  assisted  by 
other  ordained  ministers),  Thomas  Coke,  Doctor  of  Civil 
Law,  a  Presbyter  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  a  man 
whom  I  judge  to  be  well  qualified  for  that  great  work,  and 
I  do  hereby  recommend  him  to  all  whom  it  may  concern, 
as  a  fit  person  to  preside  over  the  flock  of  Christ. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
seal,  this  2nd  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1784.  John  Wesley."  * 

That  Wesley,  by  appointing  Dr.  Coke  "  Super -intendent," 
did  not  contemplate  making  him  a  Bishop  is  certain  ; 
for  when   he  learned   that  he   called   himself  Bishop  in   a 

*   Wesley's  Works,  vol.  vii.,  p.  187. 


WESL  A'  J "  S  OFFIi  7,1 1.  LE  TTER   TO  ME  77/0/) IS  VS.       ^ 

letter  to  Mr.  Asbury,  ordained  M.  E.  Bishop  by  Coke, 
September  20th,  178.8,  in  a  letter  to  him  occurs  the  follow- 
ing :* 

"  But  in  one  point,  my  dear  Brother,  I  am  a  little  afraid 
the  Doctor  (Coke)  and  you  differ  from  me  :  I  study  to  be 
little,  you  study  to  be  great  ;  I  creep,  you  strut  along  ;  I 
found  a  school,  you  a  college — nay,  and  call  it  after  your 
own  name.  Oh,  beware  !  Do  not  seek  to  be  something  ! 
Let  me  be  nothing  and  Christ  be  all  in  all.  One  instance 
of  this  your  greatness  gives  me  great  concern — how  dare 
you  suffer  yourself  to  be  called  a  Bishop  !  I  shudder  !  I  start 
at  the  very  thought  !  Men  may  call  me  a  knave,  or  a  fool, 
or  a  rascal,  a  scoundrel,  and  I  am  content  ;  but  they  shall 
never  by  my  consent  call  me  a  Bishop.  For  my  sake,  for 
God"s  sake,  for  Christ's  sake,  put  a  full  end  to  all  this  ! 
Let  Presbyterians  do  as  they  please  ;  but  let  the  Methodists 
know  their  calling  better.  Thus,  my  dear  Franky,  I  have 
told  you  all  that  is  in  my  heart,  and  let  this,  when  I  am 
no  more  seen,  bear  witness  how  sincerely  I  am  your  affec- 
tionate friend  and  Brother,  J.  Wesley." 

The  Ritualism  of  Methodism  resembled  the  ritual  of  the 
primitive  Christians,  who  worshipped  in  private  houses  or 
synagogues.  Wesley  desired  to  return  from  ecclesiastical 
grandeur  and  splendor  of  ritual  to  the  primitive  simplic- 
ity of  generations  of  the  early  Christians.  He  believed 
that  this  was  pleasing  to  the  Lord  who  is  worshipped,  and 
said  :  "  The  best  of  all  is,  God  is  with  us." 

Wesley  labored  to  revive  "  the  traditions  and  usages 
within  the  enclosure  of  the  primitive  apostolic  churches." 
"The  Trust  Deed"  of  all  his  chapels  specified  that  they 
were  to  be  used  for  the  ministration   of  ordained  Presbyters 

*  "  Life  of  Wesley,"  by  John  Hampton,  A.B.,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  17S-9. 


24  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

of  the  Church  of England and  the  Lay  Preachtrs  of  the  Wesley a?i 
Society.  When  in  London  the  author  visited  the  large 
"  City  Road  Chapel"— called  the  "  Methodist  Cathedral" 
— in  order  to  see  the  new  marble  tablet,  and  notice  where- 
in the  inscription  is  different  from  the  one  which  had 
been  removed.  On  the  old  tablet  Wesley  was  described  as 
"  The  Patron  of  Lay  Preachers ."  But  on  the  new  tablet,  for 
this  is  substituted,  "  The  chief  Promoter  of  the  plan  of 
itinerant  preaching.'1'  After  the  Wesleyan  Conference  had 
"  Resolved,  That  hereafter  all  distinctions  be  dropped 
between  ordained  and  unordained  Wesleyan  ministers," 
Lay  Preachers  were  called  "Reverend" — many  of  whom 
had  never  been  ordained  even  as  Church  Deacons.  About 
the  year  1828  the  Wesleyans  adopted  a  form  of  ordination. 
The  author,  years  later,  was  present  at  the  Wesleyan 
Chapel,  "  Great  Queen  Street,"  London,  and  saw  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Bunting,  by  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  hands, 
ordain  several  candidates  for  the  Methodist  ministry. 


J I  7-:.s7.  /•  } '  A  S  A   1 7/  (  7v'(  7/  RE  VIVA  LIS  1 .  25 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WESLEY    AS    A    CHURCH    REVIVALIST    NOW    APPRECIATED. 

His  Monument  in  Westminster  Abbey — Living  Churchmen  not 
Responsible  for  the  Conduct  of  their  Ancestors — Christian 
Bodies  Outside  of  the  Church  of  England  Living  Warnings 
not  to  Repel  her  Enthusiastic  Workers. 

Living  churchmen  revere  John  Wesley,  and  gladly  sing 
Charles  Wesley's  hymns.  John  Wesley  has  been  called  by 
Bishop  Alonzo  Potter,  "  the  greatest  reformer  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century,"  his  revival  work  in  the  Church  "  the  great- 
est fact  in  the  history  of  the  period,  the  source  and  strength 
of  the  greatest  religious  movement  recorded  in  history." 
Bishop  Bedell  considers  him  "  one  of  the  most  wonderful 
instruments  among  numbers  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
employed  in  these  latter  days."  In  Westminster  Abbey 
the  author  saw  the  monuments  to  the  Wesleys,  but  was 
surprised  to  read  beneath  the  bust  of  John's,  cut  in  solid 
marble,  "  The  World  is  my  Parish" — surprised,  because  it 
is  one  of  the  freaks  of  history.  About  a  century  ago,  be- 
cause Wesley  would  not  admit  to  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
Gloucester  that  certain  physical  accompaniments  of  the 
revival  were  diabolical,  he  commanded  him  to  leave  his 
diocese,  for  he  was  trespassing  on  the  parochial  boun- 
daries of  other  clergymen.  Wesley  answered  :  "  When  I 
was  ordained,  I  was  advised  by  my  bishop  to  do  the  work  of 
an  evangelist  ;  as  I  have  no  parish  boundaries  of  my  own, 
unless  I  preach  within   the   limits  of   a   brother's   parish,  I 


26  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

cannot  preach  anywhere  !"  He  respectfully  declined  to 
depart   from    the    bishop's    diocesan    boundaries,    saying  : 

The  World  is  my  Parish."  In  the  sky  of  history  Wesley 
now  brightly  shines,  while  even  the  names  of  his  slander- 
ers and  persecutors  are  forgotten  or  remembered  with 
contempt. 

Is  it'not  remarkable  !  In  the  year  that  the  Wesleyan 
new  hymnal  was  issued  in  England,  containing  no  por- 
trait of  John  Wesley  in  his  gown  and  bands,  the  very 
Rev.  the  Dean  of  Westminster  Abbey,  in  the  presence  of 
eminent  Wesleyan  ministers  and  other  distinguished  per- 
sons, uncovered  the  marble  busts  of  John  and  Charles 
Wesley  !  Though  the  present  generation  of  churchmen 
are  not  responsible  for  the  misdoings  of  their  ancestors, 
they  are  thus  warned  not  to  imitate  them.  That  God 
visits  the  iniquities  of  church  fathers  upon  their  church 
children  is  illustrated  by  the  fact  that,  had  the  Wes- 
leyan revival  been  conserved,  the  large  and  influential 
body  of  Methodists  would  not  be  now  on  the  outside  of 
the  Church  in  which  Wesley  actively  lived,  and  peacefully 
died.  The  Wesleyans,  in  England,  believe  the  creed  of 
the  Church  of  England.  In  a  number  of  their  capacious 
chapels  the  ministers  read  "  the  '  Morning  Prayer'  before 
they  preach  the  sermon.  Eminent  living  church  digni- 
taries advise,  that  we  speak  not  unkindly  of  other  Christian 
bodies,  because  their  ancestors  left  the  Church  of  England 
through  the  lack  of  wisdom  in  those  in  authority.  Many 
of  them  still  love  the  Church,  and  prefer  to  be  married  by 
her  clergy,  and  to  have  their  children  baptized  at  the  fonts 
at  which  their  ancestors  were  baptized."  The  Primitive 
Methodists  in  Ireland,  for  a  century,  have  received  the 
holy  communion  at  their  respective  parish  churches. 

The  large  number  of  "  Lady  Huntingdon's  Chapels,"  outside 
of  the  Established   Church,  are  monuments  that  the  flame 


/ / ■/■: SL E  Y  AS  A   CH I TR c V/  A* E  lrI J ',!  L IS 7 '.  27 


of  revival  in  the  days  of  Wesley,  and  of  Whitefield,  her  elo- 
quent chaplain,  was  not  allowed  to  shine  in  the  Church  of 
England's  organic  candlestick.  Her  chaplains  were  de- 
voted clergymen,  who  yearned  for  the  Church's  prosperity 
and  the  salvation  of  the  lost  ;  but  ancient  canons,  designed 
to  resist  the  encroachment  of  a  foreign  bishop  after  her 
Reformation,  were  enforced  by  ecclesiastical  courts  against 
holy  and  devoted  clergymen  who  were  zealous  churchmen. 
Lady  Huntingdon,  unwilling  to  waste  more  of  her  fortune 
in  defending  her  chaplains  against  clerical  plaintiffs  in 
ecclestiastical  suits,  and  to  be  exposed  to  constant  litiga- 
tions, reluctantly  resolved  to  go  forward  in  her  evangelistic 
work  under  "  the  toleration  act,"  that  her  chaplains  may 
minister  to  the  large  congregations  their  faithful  labors 
had  gathered,  unmolested  by  clergymen  who  demanded 
the  money  collected  at  services  in  places  they  neither 
owned  nor  entered,  because  held  within  the  boundaries  of 
their  parishes.  The  Church  not  only  lost  Trevecca  Col- 
lege, but  also  some  of  her  clergy,  who  were  among  the 
bright  and  shining  lights  of  the  world  in  that  perverse  and 
crooked  generation.  But  as  they  still  loved  the  Church 
liturgy,  and  doctrines,  and  vestments,  at  their  Sunday  ser- 
vices "  Morning  Prayer"  preceded  their  sermons.  Row- 
land Hill,  minister  of  the  capacious  octagon,  Surrey 
Chapel,  was  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  "  Lady  Hunting- 
don Connection"  in  London.  The  faithful  Rev.  James 
Sherman  perpetuated  his  ministerial  and  benevolent  works. 
The  Rev.  Newman  Hall  is  Rowland  Hill's  second  succes- 
sor. In  the  new  edifice,  "  Christ's  Church,' '  after  the  bells 
in  "  Lincoln  Tower"  have  summoned  three  thousand  people 
to  assemble,  when  "  Morning  Prayer"  has  ended,  he 
preaches  one  of  his  earnest  and  instructive  sermons  on 
some  aspect  of  the  faith  declared  in  the  creed  of  the 
Church  of  England.    Throughout  England,    the   worship- 


28  TIfE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

pers  in  the  "  Lady  Huntingdon's  Chapels''  are  "  church- 
men" over  whom  bishops,  archdeacons,  rectors,  and  vicars 
have  legally  and  ecclesiastically  forfeited  control.  The 
letters  written  by  her  chaplains  to  the  bishop,  stating  that 
they  were  compelled  to  leave  the  Church  they  loved,  or  turn 
out  of  doors  some  of  the  largest  congregations  in  London, 
gathered  under  their  labors  in  the  worst  parts  of  London, 
are  painful  to  read. 

The  capacious  Tabernacle  in  Tottenham  Court  Road, 
London,  is  filled  with  worshippers  who  use  the  Morning 
and  Evening  Prayer  of  the  Church  of  England.  In  a  con- 
spicuous place  is  a  marble  tablet  containing  the  inscription 
composed  by  the  man  whose  devotion  it  perpetuates  : 

"  What  I  was  as  an  artist 

Was  of  some  importance  to  me 

When  I  was  on  the  earth. 

But  what  I  was  as  a  Christian  is  only  of 

Importance  to  me  now  !" 

In  Brighton,  England,  the  author  attended  several  of  the 
Church  services  in  the  Lady  Huntingdon  Chapel.  The 
edince  was  crowded,  the  people  were  devotional,  and  the 
prayers  and  the  responses  fervent.  To  pay  for  the  comple- 
tion of  the  chapel  Lady  Huntingdon  disposed  of  her  valu- 
able jewelry.  While  at  this  fashionable  watering-place 
the  author  delivered  a  series  of  discourses  on  "  Eschatol- 
ogy."  He  was  invited  to  remain  in  Brighton  ;  but  the 
offer  to  build  for  him  a  church  did  not  tempt  him  to 
become  an  "  ecclesiastical  auctioneer,"  whose  usefulness 
is  gauged  by  the  number  of  pews  the  preacher's  admirers 
hire,  either  at  a  premium  or  the  regular  charges  for  their 
use  during  the  services  on  Sunday  or  other  days. 


THE  DA  WN  Of  THE  PRESENT  A  WAKENING.         29 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE    DAWN    OF    THE    PRESENT    AWAKENING. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Aitken  Converted — Pulpits  Closed  Against  Him 
— Laboring  Outside  of  the  Church — His  Last  Sermon  in  London 
when  about  to  Return — His  Evangelistic  Labors  in  the  Church 
of  England. 

During  the  present  generation  the  returning  moral 
gloom,  resulting  from  the  apathy  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, incited  the  cry  :  "  Awake  !  awake  !  put  on  thy 
strength,  O  Zion  !"  In  answer  to  earnest  prayer  a  won- 
der revival,  of  a  silent  and  gradual  beginning,  effects  a 
mighty  change.  Slumberers  awake.  Midnight  departs. 
Over  Zion's  slopes  arise  the  delicate  tints  of  day-dawn. 
The  orb  of  revival  rises  higher  and  higher.  The  Church 
sky  brightens.  The  increasing  light  spreads.  The  grieved- 
away  spirit  returns.  The  churches  are  no  longer  moral 
cemeteries.  Everywhere  the  sounds  of  life  are  heard.  Ser- 
mons no  longer  produce  slumber.  Deserted  churches  are 
crowded.  Zealous  clergy  and  laity,  by  the  voice  of  holy 
action,  say  :  "  The  zeal  of  thine  house  is  eating  us  up." 
The  intensity  of  religious  life  in  the  Church  of  England  is 
not  excelled  by  the  intensity  of  commercial  life  in  America. 
The  marvellous  change,  resembling  life  from  the  dead, 
was  not  effected  by  any  act  of  Parliament  nor  by  any 
resolution  passed  at  a  clerical  convocation,  nor  through 
much  talk  respecting  the  importance  of  preaching  the  Gos- 
pel, but  not  doing  it.     While  some  were  indulging  in  party 


30  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

denunciation,  and  others  were  straining  their  eyes  to  see 
the  shape  and  color  of  clerical  vestments  worn  in  "  the 
Dark  Ages,"  and  also  straining  their  ears  to  catch  the  pro- 
per tones  for  prayers  and  psalmody,  others  were  praying, 
"  O  Lord,  send  a  plenteous  rain,  and  refresh  thine  inher- 
itance now  so  languid."  One  clergyman,  fired  with  holy 
zeal,  visits  church  after  church  to  awaken  slumbering  par- 
ishes ;  and  to  visit  as  many  as  possible,  preaches  a  revival 
sermon  in  each  on  successive  evenings.  To  induce  work- 
ing people  to  attend,  they  are  invited  to  "come  in  their 
working  clothes,"  and  notified  "  there  will  be  no  collec- 
tion.'' 

The  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  the  father  of  Missioner  Aitken, 
was  aroused  from  his  state  of  spiritual  death.  After  he 
confessed  that  for  several  years  he  had  ministered  as  a 
clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  while  personally  un- 
converted, church  pulpits  were  closed  against  him,  and 
but  few  Dissenters  would  permit  him  to  preach  in  their 
chapels.  But  the  Wesleyans  welcomed  him,  and  he  was 
considered,  far  and  near,  the  most  powerful  preacher  and 
efficient  revivalist  among  their  many  able  and  useful  min- 
isters. At  a  later  period,  he  organized  an  association  of 
his  own,  and,  within  a  short  period  of  time,  had  under  his 
own  control  about  a  dozen  chapels — some  much  larger 
than  the  parish  churches.  Associated  with  him  were  a 
number  of  unusually  earnest  ministers  who  had  charge  of 
his  chapels.  Wherever  he  preached  there  was  soon  a  re- 
vival ;  crowds  flocked  to  hear  him,  and  large  numbers 
were  converted.  When  he  went  to  some  other  place  one 
of  his  ministers  remained  at  the  place  he  had  left,  to  follow 
up  his  Gospel  work.  His  adherents  were  called  "  Aitken- 
ites  ;' '  and  at  one  period,  it  seemed  as  if  his  chapels,  in  the 
course  of  time,  would  rival  those  of  some  of  the  Dissenters. 
Many  who  have  departed   to  paradise  were  convicted  and 


THE  DAWN  OF   THE  PRESENT  AWAKENING.  31 


converted  under  his  faithful  ministrations  ;  and  some  who 
are  still  alive  cherish  his  memory  with  fervent  affection. 
To  show  their  great  love  for  him,  and  perpetuate  his  hon- 
ored name,  some  had  their  boys  christened  "Robeit 
Aitken." 

The  year  that  Missioner  Aitken  was  born,  the  author 
heard  his  father  preach  in  his  capacious  chapel  in  Lon- 
don to  a  crowded  congregation.  Look  at  him  !  His  body 
is  tall,  his  frame  robust,  and  his  presence  commanding. 
His  head  is  well  formed,  his  cheeks  glow  with  health,  and 
his  countenance  is  genial.  He  wears  a  black  gown  and 
evangelical  signals — the  bands  under  his  chin.  Had  he  a 
cast  in  one  eye  it  would  seem  as  if  the  celebrated  White- 
field  had  risen  from  the  dead  and  was  again  swaying  hear- 
ers by  his  sacred  eloquence.  His  sermon  was  based  on  the 
words,  "And  they  crucified  Him  !''  During  the  sermon 
the  treachery  of  Judas  and  the  Saviour's  arrest  ;  his  foes 
leading  Him  to  the  house  of  the  High  Priest,  and  from 
thence  to  the  pretorium  of  Pontius  Pilate  ;  from  Pilate  to 
King  Herod,  and  from  Herod  back  to  Pilate,  were  so  viv- 
idly depicted  that  the  sermon  reproduced  the  solemn 
scene  of  the  Saviour's  last  few  hours  upon  the  earth.  How 
graceful  His  gestures  and  soul-moving  His  voice  !  It  re- 
sembles a  rich-toned  organ  with  many  stops,  whose  organ- 
ist knows  their  combinations.  His  vocal  range  includes 
the  tone  of  the  stops  "  dulciana"  and  "  vox  celestis  ;" 
also  the  stops  "  trumpet"  and  "  diapason." 

In  plaintive  tone  he  depicts  the  Saviour's  homelessness  : 
"  The  Son  of  Man  hath  not  where  to  lay  His  head  !"  Sor_ 
rowfully  He  repeats  His  question  to  Peter,  James  and 
John  :  "  Could  ye  not  watch  with  me  one  hour?"  In  a 
tone  of  wailing  sorrow  He  describes  His  agony  in  Geth- 
semane,  and  repeats  the  words  :  "If  it  be  possible,  let 
this    cup  pass  from  me,"  and    in   a    tone  of  resignation  : 


32  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


"  Father,  thy  will  be  done."  What  surprise  in  His  voice 
as  He  re-utters  the  Saviour's  rebuke  to  His  slumbering  dis- 
ciples :  "  Sleep  on,  now,  and  take  your  rest.  Arise,  behold, 
he  is  near  who  will  betray  me!"  In  his  description  of 
those  who  arrayed  Christ  in  mock  regalia,  what  irony  he 
throws  into  their  salutation  :  "  Hail,  King  of  the  Jews  !" 
We  seem  to  see  the  mob  who  clamored  for  His  blood  as 
he  now  repeats  the  awful  words  in  a  tone  of  teeth-grind- 
ing hatred  :  "  Away  with  Him  !  Away  with  Him  !  Cru- 
cify Him  !"  With  reproducing  power  he  repeats  Pilate's 
question  of  surprise:  "Why,  what  evil  hath  He  done?" 
He  now  depicts,  as  if  before  our  eyes,  the  Saviour's  jour- 
ney from  the  pretorium  along  the  dolorous  way  to  Gol- 
gotha, bearing  the  cross  and  sinking  beneath  it.  In  the 
words  of  St.  Paul,  we  seem  to  see  the  Saviour  set  forth, 
crucified  before  our  eyes,  and  to  hear  the  ironical  man- 
date, "  Save  Thyself,  and  come  down  from  the  cross  !" 
Now  we  seem  to  hear  His  dying  cry,  "  It  is  finished  !"  and 
to  behold  His  eyes  close  in  death,  and  His  head  dropped, 
His  chin  resting  on  His  chest.  The  preacher's  change 
of  tone  is  not  artificial,  but  natural,  because  induced  by 
what  his  mental  eyes  see  and  his  own  heart  feels.  Now, 
in  applying  the  sermon,  the  preacher,  in  a  subdued  and 
solemn  tone,  says  :  "  Your  sins  and  mine  crucified  the 
Saviour."  And  in  his  exhortation  he  gradually  increases 
in  pathetic  volume  of  tone,  until  his  own  emotion  for  a 
moment  chokes  his  power  of  utterance,  and  preacher  and 
hearers  find  relief   in  tears.     Then  the  preacher   tenderly 

asks  : 

"  Wilt  thou  let  him  bleed  in  vain  ? 
Still  to  death  thy  Lord  pursue  ? 
Open  all  his  wounds  again, 
And  the  shameful  cross  renew  ?" 

The  sermon  described  was  the  last  that  he  preached  at 
his  chapel  in  London.       Having  made  satisfactory  arrange- 


THE  DA  WN  OF  THE  PRESENT  A  WAKENING.  33 

ments  with  the  ministers  of  his  chapels  in  different  parts 
of  England  respecting  their  future  use,  etc.,  he  resolved 
to  return  to  the  Church  of  England.  Those  who  stood 
high  in  authority  welcomed  his  return  in  1841  to  the 
Church  he  loved.  Before  the  father  returned  to  the 
Church  of  England  he  had  resolved  to  work  in  harmony 
with  her  "via  media"  modes,  or  he  would  have  continued 
to  let  his  light  shine  on  the  outside.  After  successful 
labors  in  Leeds,  Yorkshire,  and  also  in  Scotland,  he  took 
charge  of  Pendeen,  in  Cornwall.  But  he  was  not  at- 
tracted by  an  ivy-covered  Gothic  church,  an  elegant  par- 
sonage, and  a  commodious  school-house,  for  the  place 
had  neither.  But  before  the  end  of  two  years  he  had 
erected  a  capacious  church,  a  comfortable  residence,  and 
also  a  school-house.  Some  feared  that  his  high  ritual 
would  repel  the  Methodists  ;  but  they  soon  were  among 
those  who  crowded  the  church  on  Sundays,  and  their 
voices  were  heard  at  the  less  formal  services  held  in  another 
part  of  the  edifice  on  week  evenings.  An  account  of  his 
labors,  owned  by  God,  would  fill  a  volume.  He  remained 
there  twenty-four  years,  but  was  absent  occasionally  to 
hold  evangelistic  services  in  different  parts  of  England  and 
Scotland.  The  term  "  mission"  was  adopted  at  a  later 
period  ;  and,  though  called  by  a  new  name,  he  rejoiced  to 
see  the  work  for  which  he  had  all  his  life  contended  gen- 
erally recognized  throughout  the  Church  of  England. 

He  possessed  a  noble  body,  a  good  constitution,  highly- 
trained  vocal  organs,  great  fluency  of  utterance,  and  un- 
usual power  of  endurance.  His  intellect  was  clear  and 
highly  cultivated,  but  he  preferred  not  to  live  all  the 
time  in  intellectual  Arctic  regions.  He  had  originality  of 
thought,  mental  independence,  and  did  not  discard  his 
own  conclusions  because  some  one  who  had  lived  in  "  the 
Dark    Ages"    entertained   a    different   opinion.     He    was 


34  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

very  conscientious,  affectionate  and  benevolent.  He 
possessed  a  warm  heart  and  great  sympathy,  and  at  times 
he  was  oppressed  by  the  burdens  of  the  Church,  the  sor- 
rows of  others,  and  his  anxiety  for  souls,  so  much  upon 
his  loving  heart. 

Often,  before  engaging  in  any  public  religious  service, 
he  spent  much  time  in  earnest  prayer  to  God,  and  he  was 
as  humble  as  a  little  child,  truly  living  in  the  Divine  Pres- 
ence, his  soul  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteous- 
ness. All  his  talents  were  consecrated  to  glorify  God,  and 
therefore  God  made  him  pre-eminently  useful.  Several 
church  clergymen  now  in  New  York  have  seen  him,  heard 
his  matchless  voice,  loved  him  while  he  lived,  and  now 
cherish  his  blessed  memory. 


THE  ALARM  CONCERNING  PAPAL  AGGRESSION. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE   ALARM  CONCERNING   PAPAL  AGGRESSION. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Cumming  in  Exeter — He  Attacks  the  Papacy — 
People  Alarmed — An  Imaginary  Papal  Mandate  to  Regain 
Power  in  England — Bach" s  Passion  Music — The  Abbey 
Crowded. 

While  the  author  was  in  Exeter,  Devonshire,  he  preached 
about  twenty-five  sermons  in  Exeter  Hall  to  attentive  con- 
gregations. While  he  was  in  the  city  he  heard  the  Rev.  J. 
Cumming,  D.D.,  deliver  one  of  his  lectures  on  "  Papal 
Aggression."  The  Rev.  lecturer,  who  was  "  a  formidable 
foe  of  the  Papacy,"  had  become  the  champion  of  the  Prot- 
estants through  his  "public  discussion  in  London  with 
Daniel  French,  the  barrister,  who  quoted  passages  from 
"  the  fathers  of  the  Primitive  Church,"  and  was  quickly 
followed  by  his  opponent,  who  quoted  the  citations,  with 
their  context,  on  every  essential  point  under  discussion. 

Dr.  Cumming  had  access  to  the  library  of  the  National 
Museum,  and  made  himself  familiar  with  the  Fathers  of  the 
Church  and  the  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the 
Papacy.  In  his  lecture  in  Exeter  he  said  :  "  The  Roman 
Catholics,  who  built  many  of  England's  churches  and 
cathedrals,  were  skilful  architects  but  very  poor  theo- 
logians." The  author  is  not  responsible  for  anything  the 
Doctor  affirmed,  but  records  that  his  lecture  in  Exeter,  as 
in   other  cities,   had   incited  alarm.      "  No    Popery  !"  was 


36  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

painted  on  the  walls  of  towns  and  cities  in  very  large 
letters  ;  and  on  the  walls  of  other  cities,  in  view  of  a 
recent  "  Government  grant"  to  the  Roman  Catholic  Col- 
lege in  Dublin,  Ireland,  "  Down  with  Mayworth  and 
Popery  !" 

Many  citizens,  and  some  who  could  not  read  the  writing 
on  the  walls,  became  very  much  alarmed.  Some  of  them 
acted  as  if  the  College  of  Cardinals  at  the  Vatican  had 
authorized  the  Cardinal  Archbishop  of  London  to  use  any 
means  to  regain  Papal  dominion  in  England.  Some  im- 
agined that,  as  a  vestment  of  the  Cardinal  was  scarlet,  it 
had  invisible  contact  with  "  the  scarlet  woman"  of  the 
book  of  Revelation  ;  and  that  the  Cardinal's  pallium  had 
been  immersed  in  Papal  dynamite.  The  alarmists  seemed 
to  behold  a  Papal  Bull,  and  knew  not  that  the  name  means 
"a  bubble."  Many  Protestants  acted  as  if  the  following 
document  were  actually  before  their  eyes. 

Whereas  (a)  By  the  execrable  statute  of  Henry  VIII.,  the 
apostate  Catholic  King  of  England,  who  forced  Fisher, 
Bishop  of  Rochester,  to  die  a  martyr  for  his  loyalty  to  the 
Holy  See  of  Rome,  also  caused  all  who  denied  the  Real 
Presence  in  the  Holy  Eucharist  to  die  as  martyrs,  as  if  he 
were  Christ's  Vicar  ;  and 

Whereas  (o)  The  King's  high  Parliament  took  cogni- 
zance of  ecclesiastical  causes  to  the  temporal  courts  ;  and 

Whereas  {e)  They  made  provision  concerning  clerks  and 
benefices  and  the  concerns  of  the  hierarchy,  as  if  he  held 
the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  as  if  the  administra- 
tion of  these  affairs  were  with  the  King,  not  with  the  suc- 
cessor of  St.  Peter  ;  and  in  addition  to  these  hideous 
encroachments  the  King  also  caused  to  be  enacted  terrible 
penalties  against  the  Catholic  clergy  ;  and 

Whereas  (a7)  People  of  all  persuasions  of  all  countries 
have    the  liberty  of    coming   into    England    except    those 


THE  ALARM  COXCERNING  PAPAL  AGGRESSION.       M 


who  have  cures  in  England  bestowed  upon  them  by  the 
Supreme  Bishop,  the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ;  and  these 
only  are  arrested,  imprisoned,  stripped  of  their  fortunes, 
and  banished  ;  and 

Whereas  (e)  Proctors  or  notaries  charged  with  the  exe- 
cution of  the  apostolic  see,  if  they  venture  to  set  foot  upon 
English  ground  and  proceed  in  the  fulfilment  of  their 
commission,  are  treated  as  the  King  of  England's  enemies, 
cast  off  from  his  protection,  are  exposed  to  the  extrem- 
est  hardships,  and  if  any  Catholic  discipline  or  apostolic 
censure  is  urged  against  this  usage  it  is  treated  as  a  capital 
offence  ;  and 

Whereas  (/)  The  Apostolic  Legate  in  England  was  not 
received  with  the  honor  due  to  his  rank,  and  the  King  and 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  demanded  that  he  should 
surrender  the  Bishopric  of  Winchester,  canonically  vacated 
by  his  acceptance  of  the  Cardinalate,  which  heretofore  had 
been  the  undisturbed  possession  of  the  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury ;  therefore 

Resolved  (a)  That  I,  Pope  Pius  IX.,  the  successor  of  St. 
Peter,  authorize  the  recently  appointed  .  .  .  Cardinal 
Archbishop  of  Westminster  to  carry  out,  by  any  means,  this 
my  Decretal  to  speedily  regain  for  the  Holy  See  the  res- 
toration of  the  Papal  dominion  in  England  ;  and 

Whereas  (i)  The  Queen  and  Parliament  of  Great  Britain, 
with  her  Archbishops,  Bishops  and  other  clergy,  since  the 
Reformation  have  held  unlawful  possession  of  our  churches, 
abbeys,  cathedrals  and  universities  ;  and 

Whereas  (2)  "Presbyterians,"  "  Congregationalists," 
V  Baptists/'  "Quakers,''  "  Wesleyan  Methodists,"  "  Prim- 
itive Methodists,"  "  Free  Methodists,"  "  Reformed  Meth- 
odists," and  numerous  other  "  schismatics  "  have  erected 
churches  and  chapels  and  school-rooms  in  different  places 
on  the  territory  once  under  my  control  ;  and 


38  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Whereas  (3)  The  aforesaid  usurpers  are  both  heretics 
and  schismatics,  whose  ancestors  wickedly  rejected  the 
dogmas  of  the  Council'of  Trent  and  daringly  disregarded 
my  authority  ;  and 

Whereas  (4)  Under  the  Church  of  England  "  Toleration 
Act"  other  schismatics  may  imitate  the  aforesaid  heretical 
and  schismatic  people  who  "  call  themselves  Christians/' 
until  the  diocesan  boundaries  of  Roman  Catholic  Bishops 
and  the  parochial  boundaries  of  Roman  Catholic  Parish 
Priests  become  invisible  ;  and 

Whereas  (5)  I,  Pope  Pius,  have  duly  appointed  you  "  the 
Archbishop  of  Westminster,"  London  ;  in  the  name  of 
St.  Peter,  by  these  presents  I  do  authorize  and  command 
you,  by  the  use  of  any  means,  religious,  social  or  political, 
to  diligently  labor  for  the  speedy  recovery  of  all  the  Church 
property  grasped  from  our  control  in  the  reign  of  the 
wicked  Henry  VIII.,  who  released  Great  Britain  from  my 
triple  authority  ;  and 

Whereas  (6)  My  Bishops,  Priests  and  Laity  transferred 
their  allegiance  to  successive  kings  of  England,  Ireland  and 
Scotland  ;  you  will  also  use  any  means  to  bring  their  more 
enlightened  successors  under  my  more  gentle  triple  rule  ; 

Resolved,  (b)  That  the  Catholic  Cardinal  Archbishop  of 
Westminster,  London,  freely  draw  on  the  Vatican  Treas- 
ury for  the  amount  of  any  deficiency  in  the  receipts  from 
Roman  Catholics  in  Great  Britain  incurred  by  his  faithful 
fulfilment  of  this  my  decretal  : 

(Signed)  Pics  IX., 

Chris  f  s  Vicar  on  Earth,  Lord  over  God's  heritage, 
a?id  the  Earthly  King  of  Kings. 
Witnesses  : 

***  The  Arch  Cardinal, 

***  The  Treasurer, 

***  The  Secretary  of  the  Vatican. 


BACH'S  PASSION  MUSIC.  89 

BROTHERLY  LOVE. 

"  How  beautiful  the  sight 

Of  brethren  who  agree 
In  friendship  to  unite, 

And  bonds  of  charity  ! 
'Tis  like  the  precious  ointment  shed 
O'er  all  his  robes  from  Aaron's  head. 

"  'Tis  like  the  dews  that  fill 

The  cups  of  Hermon's  flowers  ; 
Or  Zion's  fruitful  hill, 

Bright  with  the  drops  of  showers  ; 
When  mingling  odors  breathe  around, 
And  glory  rests  on  all  the  ground." 

Yet  many  who  years  ago  were  unduly  alarmed,  as  they 
now  look  back  admit  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cumming,  who 
said,  "  The  end  of  the  world  is  coming,"  the  "  Pope  of 
Rome  is  coming,"  just  before  the  coming  of  the  end  of  the 
world— have  been  forced  by  stern  facts  to  admit  that  his 
11  Holiness"  remained  in  the  city  of  Rome  ;  the  Archbishop 
of  Westminster  has  not  molested  England  ;  and  that  the 
Roman  Catholics  worship  peacefully  within  diocesan  and 
parish  boundaries  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  Arch- 
bishop of  Westminster's  palace  is  not  far  from  Westmin- 
ster Abbey,  and  the  dust  of  the  Nation's  great  ones  long  ago 
or  recently  interred  therein  rest  as  peacefully  as  ever.  The 
Abbey  has  not  been  defaced,  but  the  crumbling  parts  have 
been  restored.  The  dean,  chapter  and  choristers  have  not 
been  molested.  To  change  our  current  of  thought  :  if 
you  will  accompany  the  author,  we  will  enter  the  Abbey. 
Should  the  Cardinal  Archbishop  see  us  he  will  not  molest  us. 

BACH'S  PASSION  MUSIC  IN  WESTMINSTER  ABBEY. 

This  Passion  music,  once  chanted  by  nearly  all  the  Lu- 
theran congregations  in  North  Germany,  is  still  used  in  the 
remoter  parts  of  Fatherland.     In    1723  the  Passion  of  our 


40  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

Saviour  as  narrated  by  St.  Matthew  was  set  to  music  by 
John  Sebastian  Bach,  the  musical  director  of  St.  Thomas's 
Lutheran  Church,  at  Leipzig.  Bach,  keenly  feeling  what 
he  musically  depicted,  threw  into  this  production  deep 
religious  pathos,  and  it  now  ranks  among  the  masterpieces 
of  the  musical  art.  The  words  of  the  first  part  embrace 
verses  one  to  fifty- six  of  St.  Matthew  26  ;  and  the  second 
and  concluding  part,  the  remainder  of  this  chapter  to  the 
close  of  chapter  27.  During  the  closing  week  of  Lent  in 
1871  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  introduced  into  the  services 

IN  WESTMINSTER  ABBEY 

Bach's  masterpiece  entitled  the  "Passion  of  our  Lord 
according  to  St.  Matthew."  So  great  was  the  anxiety  to 
hear  this  simple  but  soul-moving  production  that  thou- 
sands were  unable  to  gain  standing-room  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  Abbey.  That  the  solemnity  of  the  services 
might  not  be  marred  by  the  crowding  of  an  anxious  multi- 
tude, no  one  could  gain  admission  without  a  ticket,  while 
the  issue  of  tickets  was  regulated  by  the  number  of  per- 
sons the  Abbey  would  comfortably  accommodate.  Through 
the  courtesy  of  Dean  Stanley  we  were  favored  with  a  ticket 
of  admission  to  the  South  Triforium,  which  we  approached 
through  the  door  leading  to  the  celebrated  "Jerusalem 
Chamber,"  in  which  the  Revisers  of  the  Scriptures  meet. 
From  our  elevated  position  we  obtained  an  extended  view 
of  the  nave  and  aisles  and  choir  and  chancel  of  the  mag- 
nificent Abbey,  which  presents  one  of  England's  finest 
specimens  of  pointed  architecture,  and  beneath  whose  un- 
equalled proportions  repose  the  remains  of  so  many  of  the 
great  ones  of  earth.  At  seven  o'clock  plaintive  strains 
pealed  from  the  rich-toned  organ,  when 

THE  CHOIR  GATES  OPENED 

and  the  surpliced    choristers    and  clergy,   with  the  Very 


BACH'S  PASSION  MUSIC.  41 

Rev.  Dean  and  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  proceeded 
to  their  appointed  places.  The  tiers  of  seats  sloping 
upward  on  each  side  of  the  gates  of  the  choir  in  the 
nave  were  occupied  by  the  instrumentalists.  The  gal- 
leries of  seats,  which  extended  to  the  third  bay  of  the  nave 
arcades,  were  occupied  by  the  hundreds  of  choristers,  and 
the  canons,  and  other  clergy  of  the  Abbey.  The  specially- 
invited  guests  of  the  Dean  and  Lady  Augusta  Stanley 
occupied  the  reserve  rows  of  seats  in  front  of  the  nave 
pulpit.  The  thousands  of  chairs  in  the  nave  and  aisles, 
and  between  the  stalls  in  the  choir,  and  in  the  aisles  on 
either  side  of  the  choir  stalls,  and  in  the  space  from  the 
end  of  the  choir  stalls  to  the  rail  of  the  chancel,  were 
occupied  by  the  public.  The  beautiful  Abbey,  filled  with 
attentive  people,  presented  an  attractive  spectacle,  but, 
had  it  been  ten  times  larger,  the  vast  space  would  doubtless 
have  been  filled. 

THE  SERVICE  COMMENCED 

with  the  sentence,  "  When  the  wicked  man  turneth  away 
from  his  wickedness,"  which  was  said  by  the  Rev.  S. 
Flood  Jones,  precentor  of  the  Abbey.  The  General  Con- 
fession, and  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  versicle-responses  were 
uttered  by  thousands  of  voices  in  tones  of  devout  earnest- 
ness. After  a  plaintive  instrumental  overture  the  para- 
graph commencing  with 

' '  Come,  ye  daughters,  werp  with  me, ' ' 
was  sung  as  a  double  chorus,  and  the  antiphonal  effects  of 
the  interrogatory  sentences  and  answers  were  finely  ren- 
dered. The  recitative,  li  When  Jesus  had  finished  all  these  say- 
ings,"  etc.,  was  sung  by  tenor  and  bass.  "Then  assembled  to- 
gether the  chief  priests /'  etc.,  was  recited  by  Mr.  Cummings, 
the  renowned  English  tenor.  "Not  on  the  feast  day,  lest  then, 
be  an  uproar  "  was  sung  in  double  chorus  with  thrilling  ef- 


42  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

feet.  The  chorus,  "  To  id  hat  purpose  is  this  waste?"  which 
followed  the  recitative,  describing  the  anointment  of 
Christ's  head  with  very  precious  ointment,  seemed  to  re- 
produce the  scene  described.  After  a  contralto  aria  com- 
mencing, 

' '  Thou  blessed  Saviour,   Thou," 
and  tenor   and  bass  recitatives  of   the  bargain  of   Judas 
Iscariot  with  the  chief  priests,  and  the  keeping  of  the  Pass- 
over, and    Christ's    prediction   concerning   Peter, the  fol- 
lowing was  movingly  sung  as  a  tenor  solo  and  chorus  ; 

"  O  grief  !  Now  pants  His  agonizing  heart  : 
It  sinks  within — how  pale  His  countenance  ! 
They  lead  Him  to  the  judgment  hall  ; 
None  there  is  found  to  comfort  Him. 
The  powers  of  darkness  now  assail  Him, 
While  murderous  men  prepare  to  seize  Him. 
My  Saviour  !  Oh,  could  my  feeble  love 
Thine  agony  and  sorrow 
Assuage  or  help  t'  endure,"  etc. 

"  O  Father,  let  Thy  will  be  done  ! 

For  all  things  well  Thou  doest. 
******* 

Who  trusts  in  Thee 
Shall  ever  be 
In  perfect  peace,  from  danger  free." 

The  tenor  and   bass  recitative  describing  the  arrival  of 
Judas  with  an  armed  multitude,  and  our  Lord's  betrayal, 
was  followed  by  a  soprano  and  contralto  duet  : 
"  My  Saviour,  Jesus,  now  is  taken,"  etc. 

While  this  duet  was  sung  in  plaintive,  moving  strains, 
the  chorus,  accompanied  by  all  the  instruments  and  the 
full  power  of  the  organ,  stirred  the  soul  to  its  depths. 

"  Leave  Him  !  leave  Him  !  bind  Him  not  ! 

Have  lightning  and  thunder  in  clouds  disappeared  ? 
Now  open,  oh,  bottomless  pit,  with  thy  terrors  : 


BACH'S  PASS/ON  MUSIC.  43 

Destroy  them 
And  spoil  them  ; 
Devour  them 
And  crush  them 
With  sudden  rage, 
The  treacherous  betrayer,  the  murderous  throng." 

The  tenor  and  bass  recitative  of  the  other  incidents 
attending  our  Lord's  arrest  was  followed  by  the  chorale 
commencing  : 

"  O  man,  thy  heavy  sin  lament, 
For  which  the  Son  of  God  was  sent 
To  die  upon  the  cross." 

At  the  close  of  this  chorale  the  Very  Rev.  the  Dean 
preached  an  eloquent  and  impressive  sermon  on  "  My  soul 
is  exceeding  sorrowful,  even  unto  death,"  etc.  (St.  Matt. 
26  :  38).  The  sermon  produced  a  marked  effect  on  those 
who  heard  it.  The  following  condensed  report  will  give 
the  reader  some  idea  of  its  design  and  scope  : 

In  a  distinct  and  far-reaching  voice  the  Dean  remarked 
that  he  had  selected  for  meditation  "  the  agony  at  Geth- 
semane,  partly  because  at  that  point  they  had  arrived  in 
this  sacred  service,  and  chiefly  because  it  was  that  which 
revealed  to  all  Christians,  as  it  were,  the  innermost  soul 
and  meaning  of  the  whole  story  of  the  Passion.  It  was 
not  upon  the  physical  sufferings  of  the  crucifixion  that  the 
Bible  mostly  invited  them  to  dwell,  but  the  sufferings 
which  were  expressed  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane.  Christ 
might  have  longed  that  the  cruel  suffering  which  He  had 
so  long  anticipated  might  pass  from  Him.  His  struggle 
was  not,  however,  human,  but  divine.  He  felt  the  loneli- 
ness of  the  hour  and  the  desertion  of  His  disciples  ;  He 
saw  that  Peter,  James,  and  John,  instead  of  watching 
around  Him,  had  sunk  into  a  deep  slumber  ;  the  immortal 


U  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Divine  had  been  constrained  to  turn  for  help  to  the  mortal 
and  the  visible  ;  but  from  His  own  three  dearest  and  best- 
beloved  friends  He  obtained  no  help  or  sympathy.  But 
there  was  yet  something  deeper  :  it  was  the  sense  of 
human  wickedness  entering  into  His  soul,  so  as  almost  to 
take  possession  of  it.  In  the  language  of  St.-  Paul,  '  He 
who  knew  no  sin  was  made  sin  for  us.'  The  thoughts  of 
the  sins  of  the  world  gathered  before  our  blessed  Lord  in 
millions  ;  they  came  in  troops  more  numerous  than  the 
locusts  ;  they  were  an  army  of  the  living  and  the  dead  ;  all 
sins  were  present  to  His  memory  ;  the  victims  of  hopes 
blighted,  vows  broken,  of  sophistry,  unbelief,  passion, 
agony  of  remorse,  the  anguish  of  shame,  and  the  sickness 
of  despair — all  appeared  before  Him  there.  This  was  what 
'troubled  His  soul  to  its  inmost  depths,  and  made  Him 
exceeding  sorrowful  even  unto  death.'  Of  all  those  vari- 
ous forms  of  anguish  men  may  have  partaken,  or  may  par- 
take, in  proportion  as  they  had  within  them  any  particle 
of  the  God-like  and  Christ-like — any  spark  of  the  heroic, 
the  saintly,  or  the  divine — any  sense  of  that  detestation  of 
sin  which  was  amongst  the  purest  and  the  best.  It  was  to 
all  a  warning  and  a  consolation,  and  a  protestation  against 
misery  and  wrong-doing.  Another  thought  which  had 
been  uppermost  in  his  (the  preacher's)  mind  was  the  great 
example  which  it  set  of  how  and  in  what  spirit  men  ought 
to  pray.  Let  all  ponder  well  the  agonizing  supplications 
of  Him,  our  divine  example,  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane. 
Everything  went  to  render  the  situation  more  terrible  ; 
and  surely  it  proved  beyond  dispute  that  there  was  some- 
thing nobler  and  higher  in  the  efficacy  and  in  the  answer 
to  prayer  than  the  mere  demanding  and  receiving  special 
blessings  for  which  men  asked.  They  were  encouraged 
by  the  narrative  to  lay  their  sins  before  their  Father,  to 
cast  all  their  cares  upon  Him. 


BACH'S  1' A  SSI  OX  MUSIC.  45 


11  If,  however,  no  direct  answer  were  given — if  the  cup 
did  not  pass  away  from  them — he  enjoined  them  not  to  let 
their  faith  be  shaken.  To  Christ  heavenly  strength  was 
given  to  bear  all  the  pains  and  sorrows  that  were  laid  upon 
Him.  In  the  power  of  that  strength  He  rose  from  His 
knees,  no  longer  sorrowful,  but  calm  and  cheerful,  ready 
to  go  forth  and  meet  His  enemies.  If  ever  any  act  or 
event  in  the  world's  history  was  essential  to  its  onward 
spiritual  progress — essential  to  the  elevation  and  purifica- 
tion of  individual  men — it  was  the  anguish  which  that 
night  represented  to  them,  so  supremely  conveyed  in  the 
words,  '  Thy  will  be  done.'  " 

The  Dean's  able  sermon  prepared  the  mind  for  the  in- 
creasing musical  intensity  of  Part  II.  of  Bach's  "  Passion 
of  our  Lord."     After  the  contralto  solo, 

'  'Alas  !  ?iow  is  my  Saviour  gone, ' ' 

Christ's  trial  before.  Caiaphas  was  vividly  reproduced  by- 
responsive  tenor  and  bass.  The  answer  to  the  high  priest's 
questions  was  sung  by  all  the  choristers,  accompanied  by 
all  the  instruments,  and  the  sudden  answer  of  the  blood- 
thirsty multitude, 

"  He  is  guilty  of  death  /" 

was  musically  startling  !  So  also  was  the  sarcastic  inter- 
rogatory, 

"  Oh,  tell  us,  Thou  Christ,  who  now  smote  Thee  ?" 

Soprano  and  tenor  and  bass  soloists  pathetically  recited 
the  inspired  narrative  of  Christ  denied  by  Peter,  and  the 
apostle's  bitter  sorrow,  after  which,  with  a  violin  obligato, 
a  tremulous  contralto  plaintively  wailed, 

1 '  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  in  trouble  : 
My  strength  failetli  me  because  of  mine  iniquity.' ' 


46  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

The  answer  to  Pilate's  question  whether  he  should  release 
Christ  or  Barabbas  was  sung  in  double  chorus,  accompanied 
by  all  the  instruments  and  organ  diapason,  and  the  start- 
ling shout,  "  Barabbas  !"  rang  through  the  Abbey  like  the 
rattling  of  suddenly  discharged  musketry  !  The  effective 
rendering  of  "  What  shall  I  do,  then,  with  Jesus?"  and  the 
full  chorus  answer,  "Let  Him  be  crucified /"  which  was  re- 
peated with  increased  power  of  the  wildest  intensity,  can- 
not be  described. 

The  tempest  of  feeling  roused  was  then  subdued  by  the 
plaintive  chorale, 

"  Oh,  Thou  whose  head  wast  wounded 
And  pierced  with  prickly  thorn,"  etc. 

The  inspired  narrative  describing  the  supernatural  dark- 
ness accompanying  the  crucifixion  was  recited  by  Messrs. 
Cummings  and  Beale  in  solemnizing  tenor  and  bass.  The 
Saviour's  loud  cry, 

1 '  My  God,  My  God,  why  hast  Thou  forsaken  Me  f ' 

was  sung  in  tones  expressing  the  climax  of  mental  agony, 
and  pierced  to  the  soul's  innermost  recesses.  Mr.  Cum- 
mings, who  produced  a  marked  impression  by  his  plaintive 
rendering  of  the  sentence,  "  Peter  went  out  and  wept  bit- 
terly," caused  a  general  thrill    by  his    recitative,  "Jesus 

CRIED  WITH  A  LOUD    VOICE  AND    DEPARTED."       The  emotions 

excited  by  the  thrilling  rendering  of  the  Saviour's  dying 
cry  were  tranquillized  by  the  bass  aria,  " 'Twas  in  the 
cool  of  eventide,"  and  the  solo  and  chorus, 

"  Now  doth  the  Lord  in  peace  recline, 
His  troubles  o'er  which  for  our  sins  He  long  hath  borne,"  etc. 

This  was  followed  by  the  plaintive  double  chorus, 

"  In  tears  of  grief  we  here  recline, 
Murmuring  to  thee  in  the  tomb,"  etc., 


BACH'S  PASSION  MUSIC.  47 

which  closed  the  musical  part  of  this  deeply  interesting 
service.  The  Dean  having  pronounced  the  benediction, 
the  immense  audience  quietly  left  the  Abbey.  The  soul- 
moving  and  solemnizing  effects  of  the  service  described 
will  not  soon  pass  away. 


48  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE     ADOPTION     OF    THE     TERM    "  THE     PAROCHIAL     MISSION." 

Mission  at  Bed  minster,  Bristol — Clergymen  in  a  Coal  Mine — 
The  Number  of  Missioners — The  Bishop  of  Derry  appreci- 
ates Enthusiasm — The  Twelve  Days'1  Mission  in  Lo?idon — 
Bishops  Mission  Leaders — Preparation  for  the  P re-Lent  Mis- 
sion in  London — Bishops  Address  the  Clergy — The  Retreat  at 
Cowley — Clerical  Retreat  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 

A  number  of  years  after  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken  re- 
turned to  the  Church  of  England  the  Holy  Spirit  moved 
the  awakened  clergymen  to  hold  a  series  of  consecutive 
services,  termed  "  a  mission,"  in  parishes  whose  rectors, 
vicars  or  incumbents  welcomed  them.  The  first  mission 
that  incited  unusual  interest  was  held  in  Bedminster,  a 
suburb  of  Bristol,  and  the  Bishop  of  Gloucester,  now  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  preached  the  opening  sermon,  In  ad- 
dition to  the  services  in  the  parish  church  some  of  the 
mission  clergy  visited  an  adjacent  coal  mine,  and  preached 
to  the  coal-blacked  miners,  who  seldom  saw  the  sunlight, 
and  did  not  often  hear  a  sermon.  This  visit  to  the  mine, 
soon  noised  abroad,  removed  the  impression  that  church 
clergymen  imagined  that  the  Church  was  established  for 
their  own  benefit  and  to  minister  only  to  the  wealthy  and 
respectable  ;  and  before  the  mission  services  closed  persons 
poor  and  ignorant  crowded  the  church  where  they  were 
held.  Among  them  were  some  who  were  shoeless  and 
their   garments   patched.     God's    blessing   rested   on    the 


THE    TERM  "  THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION."  49 


mission,  rich  and  poor  were  benefited,  and  the  missioners 
greatly  encouraged. 

At  the  time  the  mission  referred  to  was  held,  of  the  more 
than  twenty-two  thousand  clergymen  of  the  Anglican 
Church,  only  seven  of  them  labored  as  evangelists.  But 
their  number  gradually  increased  ;  more  missions  were 
held  :  and  occasionally  a  few  of  the  aroused  rectors  would 
leave  their  comfortable  rectories  to  conduct  missions  in 
parishes  whose  rectors  desired  their  co-operation.  Promi- 
nent among  the  leading  missioners  were  the  Rev.  Robert 
Aitken,  of  Penzance,  Cornwall,  and  the  Rev.  Father  Ben- 
son, of  Cowley,  Oxford,  who  organized  a  Brotherhood 
of  Missioners.  For  several  years  the  missions  held  in 
parishes  remote  from  each  other,  though  greatly  blessed, 
excited  only  local  interest.  General  interest  was  awak- 
ened by  the  twelve  days'  mission  held  at  the  same  time  in 
sixty  of  the  London  churches,  in  the  year  1869.  Their 
pews  were  rilled,  aisles  and  naves  and  entrances  crowded, 
and  thousands,  unable  to  gain  an  entrance,  reluctantly  re- 
turned to  their  homes.  Many  Christians  were  aroused 
and  many  sinners  saved  ;  and  the  newspaper  reports  of  the 
services  caused  amazement  that  the  Gospel  was  so  ear- 
nestly, faithfully  and  affectionately  preached  by  clergymen 
of  the  Church  of  England. 

The  author  saw  in  London  the  missioner  who  obtained 
the  first  license  from  a  bishop  to  hold  parochial  missions. 
He  was  one  of  the  Cowley  Brotherhood  of  Missioners,  and 
retained  the  official  document.  After  missions  had  been 
held  in  other  towns  and  cities,  and  their  usefulness  as  a  sup- 
plementary parochial  agency  had  been  thoroughly  tested, 
some  of  the  missioners  resolved  to  hold  no  more  by  mere 
episcopal  sufferance,  and  that  they  would  implore  no  more 
"  mission  licenses."  If  bishops  were  willing  to  inaugurate 
missions,  and    share  the  responsibility  of  their  failure  or 


50  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

success,  they  were  ready  to  labor  as  heretofore,  and  loyally 
co-operate  with  bishops  who  would  be  their  overseers  and 
leaders.  Their  flame  of  holy  fervor  could  not  be  easily 
extinguished,  and  that  it  might  shine  within  the  Church  of 
England,  bishops  wisely  concluded  not  to  imitate  their 
too  cautious  predecessors  in  the  days  of  Whitefield  and  the 
Wesleys,  and  have  true  church  work  done  within  their  dio- 
ceses yet  free  from  their  authority  or  canonical  control. 

The  eloquent  Bishop  of  Derry  said  :  "If  some  of  our 
clergy  can  preach  to  sinful  women  of  the  love  of  Jesus 
Christ  until  the  tears  trickle  between  their  jewelled  fingers, 
and  make  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come  present,  causing 
men  at  enmity  to  feel  that  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  be  in  the 
hands  of  a  just  and  holy  God,  but  a  blessed  thing  to  be  at 
peace  with  Him  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  us  not 
try  to  put  a  hand  of  ice  upon  their  lips  of  holy  fire." 

A  number  of  bishops  realized  that  it  is  incongruous  to 
claim  as  diocesan  territory  places  which  they  never  visited, 
and  where  are  multitudes  for  whose  soul  welfare  the 
Church  was  doing  nothing.  Bishop  after  bishop  and  rec- 
tor after  rector  resolved  to  reach  them  through  missions, 
not  to  supersede  but  to  supplement  the  parish  system,  be- 
cause it  had  proved  inadequate  to  meet  the  soul  necessities 
of  all  classes.  Missioners  heartily  co-operate  with  rectors, 
and  their  supreme  desire  is,  through  God's  blessing,  to 
melt  what  the  rectors  mould  or  nurture.  And  the  arch- 
bishops, bishops,  and  the  majority  of  their  clergy  may  no 
longer  be  called  "  idolaters  to  the  Church's  quiet  ways," 
through  which  so  many  thousands  within  parochial  boun- 
daries had  lived  and  died  without  any  special  efforts  to  save 
them  by  the  Church  of  England.  The  abiding  good  re- 
sults of  the  twelve  days'  mission  held  in  the  sixty  London 
churches,  in  the  year  1869,  encouraged  bishops  and  rectors 
to  desire  that  missions  hereafter  be  held  on  a  more  exten- 


THE   TERM  "  THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION."  51 

sive  scale.  Over  four  millions  of  souls  are  now  within 
the  limits  of  the  metropolis  of  the  British  Empire.  All  are 
within  parochial  boundaries,  but  a  vast  multitude  have  not 
availed  themselves  of  parish  church  privileges,  and  have 
grown  up  parochial  heathens.  Under  the  ordinary  work- 
ing of  the  parochial  system  multitudes  have  perished,  but 
through  the  supplemental  agency  of  parochial  missions  the 
longneglectedaregradually  coming  under  church  influence. 
During  the  past  fifty  years  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  West- 
minster Abbey,  and  many  ancient  churches  have  been  re- 
stored or  repaired.  Numerous  capacious  new  churches 
have  been  erected  ;  but  vast  multitudes,  who  are  Christless 
and  churchless,  never  enter  them.  As  the  work  of  the 
Church  is  not  completed  by  providing  church  luxuries  for 
the  rich  and  respectable,  and  an  income  to  meet  "  current 
expenses,"  in  view  of  the  multitudes  in  London  sunk  low 
in  vice  and  ignorance  or  benumbed  by  indifference,  and 
the  large  class  not  vicious  and  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, who  made  the  Lord's  Day  a  day  of  pleasure  or  of 
revelry,  the  bishops  urged  their  clergy  to  implore  a  per- 
sonal baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  prepare  to  benefit 
"  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men,"  for  whom  the  Church 
prays  ;  and  to  remember  that  even  criminal  men  and 
fallen  women  should  no  longer  be  left  by  the  Church  to 
the  tender  mercies  of  policemen  and  to  the  sole  care  of  chap- 
lains of  reformatories  and  of  penal  institutions.  Because 
multitudes  are  dying  without  hope,  the  prayer  ascends, 

"  Revive  Thy  work,  O  Lord, 

Thy  mighty  arm  make  bare  ; 
Speak  with  the  voice  that  wakes  the  dead 
And  make  Thy  people  hear. 
"  Revive  Thy  work,  O  Lord, 
Disturb  this  sleep  of  death, 
Quicken  the  smould'ring  embers,  Lord, 
With  Thine  Almighty  breath." 


52  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    X. 

THE    ANCIENT    CHURCH    OF    PERANZEBULO. 

Entombed  in  Sand  during  iooo  Years — The  Mounds  of  Sand 
Removed — Plainness  of  the  Architecture — St.  Reran  Preached 
the  Gospel  in  Cornwall — St.  Augustine  Arrived  in  England  at 
a  Later  Period — The  Fate  of  Unfaithful  Apostolic  Churches. 

To  visit  Peranzebulo,  on  the  northwest  coast  of  Corn- 
wall, the  author  walked  from  Truro  to  the  barren  belt  of 
sand  hills  which  now  gird  the  shore  of  Perans  Bay.  The 
whole  region  is  wild  and  cheerless  and  desolate.  The 
numerous  sand  hills  resemble  the  mountain  waves  of  the 
roused  ocean.  Some  are  so  high  that  the  adjacent  ocean 
can  only  be  seen  by  climbing  their  summits.  Numerous 
rabbits  burrow  in  the  region,  and  are  kept  from  starving 
by  stunted  and  coarse  herbage  that  here  and  there  cover 
a  few  of  the  mounds.  But,  though  nature  is  here  in  a  gar- 
ment of  sadness,  and  even  sea-birds  with  piteous  scream 
hasten  from  the  region,  the  site  of  the  present  vast  amphi- 
theatre of  sand  hills  was  once  a  place  of  joy  and  gladness. 

Here  a  happy  people  lived,  and  here  early  Cornish 
Christians  worshipped.  The  place  now  covered  with  sand 
hills  is  celebrated  in  Cornish  annals  ;  for  princes  and 
nobles  were  among  the  number  who  resorted  hither  to  wor- 
ship at  the  shrine  of  Peran,  the  devoted  Cornish  apostle. 
But  the  celebrated  church  built  over  his  resting-place, 
with  the  adjacent  dwellings  and  verdant  meadows,  gradu- 
ally   disappeared.      The    powerful   waves  of  the  Western 


THE  ANCIENT  CHURCH  OF  PERANZEBULO.  ">:5 

Ocean  gradually  lashed  down  the  ancient  sea  barriers. 
Though  the  anxious  inhabitants  labored  with  all  their 
might  to  keep  back  their  encroaching  invader,  the  Atlantic 
became  the  victor.  And  while  the  ocean  gradually  sub- 
merged portions  of  the  land  the  fierce  northwest  wind 
furiously  blew  the  sands  from  the  shore  into  the  hillocks 
that  entombed  the  gardens  and  dwellings  and  the  vener- 
able church.  Year  after  year  the  depth  of  sand  increased, 
till  at  length  the  escaped  inhabitants  could  not  point  to 
the  site  of  their  ancient  homesteads,  nor  to  the  revered 
spots  where  beloved  ones  reposed. 

The  devoted  Cornish  Christians  were  thus  deprived  of 
the  privilege  of  meeting  in  their  ancient  church  ;  but  as  the 
result  of  proverbial  Cornish  zeal  there  was  another  church 
erected  on  the  other  side  of  the  valley,  and  close  to  a 
brook,  which  was  considered  an  effectual  barrier  against 
approaching  sands.  But  the  audits  made  for  draining  the 
tin  mines  gradually  dried  up  this  liquid  protection.  Ac- 
cording to  an  ancient  historian,  several  centuries  since 
11  the  parish  was  almost  drowned  with  the  sea  sande  that 
the  N.  W.  winde  whileth  and  driveth  to  the  lande  in  such 
force  as  the  inhabitants  have  been  once  already  forced  to 
remove  their  Church,  and  yet  they  are  soannoyde,  as  they 
dayly  lose  their  lande."  About  the  close  of  the  seven- 
teenth century  the  second  edifice  was  partially  buried  by 
the  gradually  deepening  sand,  and  often  access  was 
difficult.  At  length  the  second  church  was  abandoned, 
and  a  third  one  erected  three  miles  distant.  This  build- 
ing, which  has  a  tower,  two  aisles  and  transepts,  is  partial- 
ly built  of  the  ancient  pillars  and  aisles  removed  for  this 
purpose  from  the  second  edifice  at  the  time  of  its  abandon- 
ment. It  was  with  no  ordinary  feelings  that  we  gazed  at 
this  ancient  stone  memorial,  and  surveyed  the  whole  edifice 
from  its  present  lofty  pulpit. 


54  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Though  for  many  centuries  the  Church  of  St.  Peran 
had  been  concealed  beneath  the  sands,  and  the  aspect  of 
the  surrounding  region  had  been  totally  changed,  its  site 
has  been  discovered,  and  the  sands  that  entombed  it, 
from  its  foundation  to  its  highest  pinnacle,  have  been  re- 
moved. Though  the  waves  foamed,  and  the  winds  blew, 
and  clouds  of  sand  suffocated,  VV.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  undis- 
mayed by  former  failures,  removed  the  accumulating  sands 
of  centuries,  and  about  forty  years  ago  "  had  the  un- 
speakable honor  and  happiness  of  laying  open  to  admiring 
crowds  the  ancient  British  church,  and  of  presenting  it  to 
the  wonder  of  antiquarians  and  the  gratitude  of  Cornish 
men."  The  architecture  was  unpretending,  the  walls 
rough  but  solid,  and  the  door-way  ornamented  on  the 
corbels  of  the  arch.  In  the  nave  of  the  building,  attached 
to  the  western,  northern  and  southern  wTalls,  were  stone 
seats  of  very  simple  construction,  while  in  the  unadorned 
chancel,  at  the  eastern  end,  stood  a  neat  stone  altar.  The 
church  originally  contained  a  curious  stone  font,  which 
we  saw  in  the  church  last  erected.  When  the  altar  was 
removed  three  skeletons  were  discovered,  one  of  unusual 
size,  supposed  to  be  that  of  the  venerated  St.  Peran.  As 
this  church  was  built  centuries  before  the  Romish  mission- 
ary Augustine  touched  British  shores,  and  its  history 
proves  that  the  Anglican  Church  was  not  of  Romish 
origin,  we  stood  on  this  ancient  site,  and  also  surveyed  its 
adjacent  monument,  with  feelings  of  profound  interest. 
Century  after  century  the  British  Christians  in  Cornwall 
resisted  Papal  usurpation.  For  rejecting  the  practices  of 
Rome  they  were  pronounced  "  a  detestable  army,"  "  a 
polluted  people;"  but  with  great  fortitude  they  declared 
their  entire  independence  of  the  authority  of  Rome.  A 
fragment  of  a  preserved  portion  of  one  of  their  protests 
reads  :  "  Bee  it  known  toallXtian  people,  that  we  are  fel- 


THE  ANCIENT  CHURCH  OF  PERANZEBULO.  55 

low  servants  and  members  of  one  Church  of  God."  Ac- 
cording to  reliable  history,  the  Anglican  branch  of  the 
Apostolic  Church  was  founded  by  St.  Paul.  At  a  very 
early  period  the  Anglican  Church  was  canonically  repre- 
sented in  General  Councils.  When  Augustine  arrived  in 
Britain  he  found  organized  dioceses,  with  bishops,  priests 
and  deacons.  The  Anglican  Church  exercised  her  spirit- 
ual functions  for  centuries  before  the  chief  pastor  of  the 
diocese  of  Rome  received  the  title  "  Universal  Bishop." 

The  Church  of  St.  Peran  was  entombed  for  centuries 
through  a  physical  cause,  but  recalls  the  fate  of  the 
apostolic  churches  of  Asia  Minor,  which  became  invisible 
through  moral  delinquency. 

That  unappreciated  privileges  God  removes  in  judg- 
ment is  evident  from  the  fate  of  the  once  flourishing 
churches  in  Corinth,  Philippi,  Colosse,  Thessalonica,  and 
the  seven  churches  in  Asia  Minor.  Their  ministers  were 
stars,  and  the  congregations  candlesticks,  and  one  like  the 
Son  of  Man  in  glory  shone  amongst  them.  But  when  the 
stars  shone  not,  and  the  candlesticks  gave  no  light,  what 
was  the  result  ?  What  is  the  present  condition  of  the 
places  where  the  Gospel  sun  once  shone  ?  Lonely  walls, 
tenanted  by  the  jackal,  now  occupy  the  site  of  the  once 
populous  city  of  Ephesus,  whose  church  was  incited  to 
prove  faithful  by  the  promise,  "  To  him  that  overcometh 
will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life  which  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  Paradise  of  God  " — Rev.  2:7.  In  Smyrna,  whose 
church  was  cheered  by  the  promise,  "  He  that  overcometh 
shall  not  be  hurt  of  the  second  death" — Rev.  2  :  2 — there 
are  but  two  Protestant  churches,  and  Protestant  schools 
have  failed  ;  and  where  the  truth  was  once  preached 
superstition  reigns  !  In  Pergamos,  whose  Church  received 
the  warning,  "  Repent  ;  or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee 
quickly,  and  will  fight  against  (the  Nicolaitanes)  with  the 


56  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

sword  of  my  mouth" — Rev.  2  :  16 — out  of  a  population  of 
sixteen  thousand,. fourteen  thousand  are  worshippers  of  the 
false  prophet  of  Mecca  !  Thyatira,  whose  Church  tolerated 
the  teaching  of  the  false  prophetess  Jezebel,  was  lost  to  the 
Christian  world  from  the  fall  of  Constantinople  until 
brought  to  light  in  the  seventeenth  century  under  the 
Turkish  name  Akhissar  !  Sardis,  whose  Church  in  St. 
John's  day  had  a  few  undefiled  names,  shows  that  when  a 
church  candlestick  is  removed  commercial  prosperity  de- 
parts, and  social  attractions  wane  !  Sardis  is  now  a  mas- 
sive ruin,  with  scarcely  a  house  standing,  and  the  region  a 
scene  of  gloomy  solemnity  !  Philadelphia,  before  whose 
Church  the  Saviour  had  opened  with  the  key  of  David  a 
door  of  usefulness,  did  not  perpetuate  her  glory  or  her 
privileges.  On  the  site  of  the  church  edifice  in  which  the 
Te  Deutn  was  wafted,  and  in  which  was  confessed,  "We 
have  left  wido?ie  the  things  which  we  ought  to  have  done,"  a 
massive  ruin  is  the  present  monument  of  glories  and  privi- 
leges that  lost  their  succession  ! 

The  Church  of  the  Laodiceans  produced  no  fruit,  and 
the  members  were  notoriously  inactive.  They  refused  to 
bestir  themselves  for'their  own  or  for  others'  good.  They 
were  not  characterized  by  the  sensationalism  of  holy  fervor, 
nor  that  of  chilling  ice.  Had  the  Bishop  of  Derry  been 
their  angel  the  eloquent  Bishop's  caution  not  to  freeze  en- 
thusiasm would  have  been  unnecessary.  For  the  clergy 
and  laity  of  the  Church  of  Laodicea  were  "  neither  cold 
nor  hot,"  and  so  offensive  to  the  Saviour  that  He 
threatened  to  expel  them  ;  and  even  the  place  where 
she  slumbers  is  a  mass  of  ruin  and  a  scene  of  desolation  ! 

Where  are  the  churches  that  once  belted  Africa  ?  Apos- 
tolic Church  candlesticks  have  been  removed.  Through 
their  removal  enterprise  stagnates,  commerce  slumbers, 
improvement  puts  on  a  robe  of    rags,    civilization   dies  ! 


THE  ANCIENT  CHURCH  OF  PERANZEBULO. 


And  those  who  complain  that  to  build  so  many  churches 
and  support  so  many  bishops  and  other  ministers  is  a 
very  expensive  luxury,  must  be  reminded  that  if  God 
should  permit  all  the  churches  in  a  city  to  be  closed,  and 
on  His  servants'  lips  place  the  seal  of  silence,  what  it 
would  cost  them  to  erect  new  prisons,  support  more  police- 
men, and  pay  busy  hangmen  to  dispose  of  the  lawless  who 
would  destroy  them  and  seize  their  property  would  be 
much  more  formidable  than  dropping  the  smallest  silver 
coin  or  a  nickel  on  the  plate  when  the  offertory  is  taken, 
however  worthy  the  object  for  which  an  appeal  is  made  ! 
Let  those  who  complain  of  the  repeated  appeals  of  our  bishops 
for  means  to  enable  them  to  extend  the  Church  remember 
that  unwise  Church  economy  is  national  destruction. 

An  able  divine  has  stated  that  ancient  cities  with  scarce 
an  exception  wasted  from  the  day  when  the  truth  wras  re- 
moved, and  grew  into  monuments — monuments  whose 
marble  is  decay,  and  whose  inscription  is  devastation — telling 
out  to  all  succeeding  ages  that  the  readiest  mode  in  which 
a  nation  can  destroy  itself  is  to  despise  the  Gospel  with 
which  it  has  been  entrusted,  and  that  the  most  fearful  vial 
which  God  can  empty  on  a  land  is  that  which  extinguishes 
the  blessed  shinings  of  Christianity  ! 

That  the  exalted  privileges  of  the  clergy  as  ambassadors 
of  Christ  be  not  removed,  let  us  prove  by  wrakeful  activity 
that  we  appreciate  them.  That  the  great  privileges  of  the 
laity  be  not  taken  from  them,  whatever  they  can  do  to 
extend  Christ's  Church  let  them  do  wTith  all  their  might. 
Let  those  who  take  hold  of  worldly  enterprises  with  such 
intense  earnestness,  and  advance  such  large  sums  to  tunnel 
mountains,  and  bridge  valleys,  and  compass  the  earth  with 
electric  wires,  and  build  steamships  to  go  to  the  ends  of 
the  earth,  and  expect  no  returns  from  their  investments  for 
years — let  them  not  treat  Christ's  Church  as  they  treat  a 
questionable  creditor,  nor  as  Dives  fed  Lazarus  ! 


58 


THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


May  the  whole  Church  earnestly  pray  for  the  descent  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  whose  warmth  can  melt  the  ice  of  spiritual 
winter  ;  whose  light  can  reveal  joys  substantial  and  eternal  ; 
whose  dew  can  moisten  the  fallow  ground  and  cause  celes- 
tial fruits  to  grow,  and  wThose  consolations  give  the  pre- 
lude of  the  glad  song  of  the  redeemed  : 


Unto  Him  who  hath  loved  us, 
And  cleansed  us  from  sin, 

Unto  Him  be  the  glory- 
Fore  ver.     Amen !" 


THE  NEWTON  THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTION.  69 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE    NEWTON    THEOLOGICAL    INSTITUTION,    MASS. 

Four  Eventful  Years — Sorrow  upon  Sorrotv — Blessing  after 
Blessing  —  "Aunt  Mary  Ann" — "Bertie  and  Jamie"  — 
1 '  Fannie  and  Freddie ' ' —  The  Professors  and  their  Fa?nilies — 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Adlamy  Osier,  and  Alden. 

The  author  would  be  ungrateful  should  he  not  include  a 
brief  reference  to  Newton  Center.  But  he  writes  with 
mingled  emotions  of  gratitude  for  blessings  vouchsafed, 
and  thankfulness  for  the  uniform  kindness  of  many  friends. 
During  his  residence  at  Newton  he  saw  both  sunshine  and 
darkness  ;  but 

"  Behind  a  frowning  Providence  God  hides  a  smiling  face." 

Sorrow  followed  sorrow  in  rapid  succession,  and  blessing 
succeeded  blessing ;  God  graciously  kept  His  afflicted 
child's  head  from  sinking  beneath  billows  of  trial,  and 
fulfilled  His  promise  : 

"  When  thou  passeth  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  ; 
And  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee." 

While  at  Newton  Center  his  sister,  while  suffering  from  an 
attack  of  neuralgia,  was  drowned.  On  Saturday  he  left 
Newton  to  preach  at  a  distant  place  on  Sunday.  During 
his  absence  his  sister  Mary  Ann  was  .found  dead,  drowned 
in  the  Charles  River.  The  Rev.  Horatio  B.  Hackctt,  D.D., 
Professor  of  Hebrew  and  Biblical  Exegesis,  conducted  the 


GO  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

solemn  funeral  services.  The  other  professors  of  the  semi- 
nary, the  Rev.  H.  J.  Ripley,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Sacred 
Rhetoric  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Arnold,  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical 
History  ;  the  Rev.  Alvah  Hovey,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Sys- 
tematic Theology  and  President  of  the  institution,  and  the 
Rev.  Oakman  Stearns,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  church,  took  part 
in  the  services,  and,  with  the  students,  accompanied  the 
funeral  procession  up  the  hill  to  the  place  of  interment 
beyond  the  Mansion  House.  Having  obtained  permis- 
sion from  the  trustees  of  the  institution,  the  remains  of  the 
author's  son,  " Jamie,'" — who,  through  an  accident  in  New- 
port, died  a  happy  little  Christian  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Adlam, 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  preached  the  funeral 
sermon,  which  was  afterward  printed  in  the  IVatchman,* — 
were  removed  to  Newton.*  The  sympathy  and  kindness 
of  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Osier  and  his  wife  are  here  with  gratitude 
recorded.  Later,  his  little  boy,  'Bertie,  died  in  his  father's 
arms  of  malignant  croup.  At  the  funeral  service,  at  the  in- 
stitution cemetery,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hovey  tenderly  sustained 
his  trembling  pupil,  while  his  fellow-students  softly  sang 
the  anthem  : 

"  Cast  thy  burden  on  the  Lord,  and  He  will  sustain  thee." 

Having  for  four  years  studied  Hebrew  and  Biblical  Ex- 
egesis, taught  by  Professor  Haskett  ;  Systematic  Theology, 
by  Hovey  ;  Church  History,  taught  by  Professor  Arnold,  and 
Sacred  Rhetoric  by  Dr.  Ripley,  the  author  graduated  with 
the  members  of  the  senior  class.  When  receiving  their 
diplomas,  the  professor  who  delivered  the  address  quoted 
what  a  quaint  Divine  had  said  :  "  When  your  clothes  are 
worn  out,  you  can  buy  a  new  suit  ;  if  your  health  should 
fail,  it  may  be  restored  ;  if  you  lose  your  money,  you  may 
earn  more  ;  but  if  you  lack  common-sense,  only  God  can  help  you  /" 

*  The  preacher  now  rests  in  Paradise. 


THE  NEWTON  THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTION.  61 

After  the  author  had  graduated  he  became  pastor  of  the 
new  Baptist  Church  at  Brighton.  At  its  dedication  the 
professors  referred  to  took  part  in  the  services.  Before  he 
"  accepted  the  call  "  he  had  stipulated  that  "  the  choir  lead 
the  singing,  and  permit  the  command  of  the  Psalmist  to 
be  obeyed  : 

' '  Let  the  people  praise  Thee,  0  God, 
Yea,  let  all  the  people  praise  Thee." 

When  all  the  pews  had  been  rented,  and  the  new  church  was 
filled j  some  of  the  well-to-do  occupants  demanded  more 
attractive  music.  After  due  consideration,  the  pastor 
concluded  that  it  might  be  a  waste  of  time  to  make  discord 
by  contending  with  the  music  committee,  backed  by  Mam- 
mon,  and  he  wrote  his  resignation,  not  of  his  preference  for 
congregational  singing,  but  of  his  pastoral  charge.  At  the 
time  specified  he  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  and  departed 
in  peace  from  Brighton.  Immediately  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Worthe?i  Street  Church,  in  Lowell^  Mass.,  of  which  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Lemuel  Porter  had  been  for  years  one  of  the  able 
predecessors,  and  who  was  much  beloved. 

In  the  second  year  of  the  author's  pastorate  in  Lowell,  and 
when  the  Church  and  society  were  unusually  prosperous, 
he  received  word  from  London,  England,  that  his  only 
brother  had  been  seriously  injured.  At  the  time  when  a 
pyrotechnic  factory,  not  far  from  Spurgeon's  Tabernacle, 
was  on  fire,  F.  G.  Bonham  was  near,  and  learned  that  one  of 
the  employes  had  not  escaped.  He  hastened  to  the  third  floor, 
and  found  her.  Hurriedly  he  led  her  safely  to  one  of 
the  front  windows.  Suddenly  a  rocket  went  off,  struck  his 
head,  and  he  was  hurled  to  the  street,  and  in  the  confusion 
was  trampled  upon  by  some  of  the  people.  Soon  after- 
ward the  tidings  reached  Lowell  that  the  accident  hastened 
his  death,  and  that  his  remains  reposed  in  one  of  the  Lon- 


62  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


don  cemeteries,  which  the  author  has  visited.  A  few 
months  later  the  pastor's  dearly  loved  boy  "Freddie"  was 
sick  with  scarlet-fever.  So  soon  as  practicable  his  parents 
took  him  to  the  house  of  his  maternal  grandparents  zXLake- 
ville,  Mass.,  that  a  change  of  air  might  facilitate  the  child's 
complete  recovery.  But  alas  !  after  their  arrival  his  aged 
grandmother  was  smitten  with  apoplexy.  Within  a  few 
days  her  grandson,  "Freddie,"  had  become  much  worse. 
The  grandmother  in  one  room  at  intervals  uttered  her 
dying  groans  ;  and  her  grandchild  in  an  adjoining  room 
uttered  his  dying  groans,  but  in  a  feebler  tone.  After  a 
few  struggles  he  died  in  his  father's  arms  ;  and  before  day- 
dawn  his  grandmother  departed  this  life.   .   .   . 

The  remains  of  Freddie  were  taken  to  Newton  to  rest, 
until  the  first  resurrection,  near  the  remains  of  his  "  Aunt 
Mary  Ann"  and  "  little  •Jamie."  From  this  mournful 
scene  the  bereaved  parents  returned  to  Lakeville  to  follow 
to  the  tomb  Freddie's  grandmother.  A  few  months  later 
the  pastor's  only  daughter,  Fannie,  grew  weak,  and  rapidly 
lost  buoyancy  of  spirit.  Mrs.  Henry  Fenner,  of  South 
Orange,  N.  J.,  whom  Fannie  dearly  loved,  and  who  dearly 
loved  Fan?iie,  came  to  Lowell  to  see  and  to  cheer  her. 
While  Mrs.  Fenner  remained  with  her  Fannie  seemed  to 
improve,  and  again  became  cheerful.  Mrs.  Fenner  had 
returned  to  South  Orange  to  attend  to  her  own  children, 
who  also  loved  "little  Fannie,"  and  Fannie  loved  them. 
Early  one  morning,  as  if  a  celestial  messenger  had  ar- 
rived to  bear  another  soul  on  high,  with  extended  arms 
and  open  hands  and  an  ecstatic  look  Fannie  exclaimed  : 
"  Take  me!"  .  .  .  She  also  now  rests  in  the  sacred  little 
cemetery  at  Newton  Center.  The  father  here  makes  a 
record  of  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  H.  Alden,  the 
successor  of  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  D.D.,  who  was  pastor 
of  another   Baptist    church  at  Lowell.      The  professors  at 


THE  NEWTON  THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTION 

Newton  again  showed  the  much  afflicted  parents  very  great 
kindness.  If  the  reader  were  the  author,  could  you  leave 
the  beloved  friends  at  Newton  out  of  your  book  ?  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Hackett,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ripley,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Henderson  and  Perry,  two  classmates,  who  followed  the 
author  into  the  Episcopal  Church,  wTith  President  Talbot,  an- 
other dear  classmate,  are  now 

"  Asleep  in  Jesus,  blessed  sleep, 

From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep." 

And  as  the  families  of  the  professors  sympathized  with  the 
author  when  he  was  bereaved,  in  grateful  re?ne?nbrance  he  here 
gives  expression  to  his  heartfelt  sympathy  for  them,  cheered 
by  the  hope  that  soon,  in  the  New  Jerusalem, 

"  We  shall  meet  with  those  departed, 

Who  have  bowed  beneath  death's  wave. 
******* 

"  We  shall  meet  those  buds  of  promise 
Blighted  by  death's  chilling  hand  ; 
We  shall  see  their  fadeless  beauty- 
Blooming  in  the  goodly  land." 


64  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

THE    AUTHOR    RESOLVES    TO    REVISIT    ENGLAND. 

He  Resigns  his  Pastorate — Proposes  a  Successor — The  Farewell 
Service — Resolutions  and  a  Purse — Arrives  in  England — The 
Guest  of  Wm.  King,  Esq.  — The  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor  -Why  the 
Author  cannot  be  his  Successor — The  Rev.  Dr.  B.  Candlish 
—  The  Rev.  Dr.  Guthrie. 

Early  in  the  third  year  of  the  author's  pastorate  in  Lowell 
he  concluded  that  he  needed  a  change  in  order  to  re- 
cover his  waning  energy  and  increasing  depression,  and 
concluded  to  resign  his  pastoral  charge.  The  deacons 
urged  him  not  to  do  so,  but  to  take  a  six  months'  vacation. 
After  due  consideration,  as  he  could  not  rapidly  recuperate 
if  the  cares  of  the  Church  were  still  on  his  mind,  he  pro- 
posed to  the  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Attleboro, 
Mass.,  to  exchange  pulpits  on  a  Sunday  specified,  so  that 
the  Attleboro  pastor  could  form  an  idea  whether  he  would 
settle  in  Lowell  if  the  Church  so  desired.  The  author, 
while  in  Attleboro,  was  the  guest  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Guild, 
the  latter  one  of  his  wife's  sisters,  who,  a  few  years  later, 
departed  this  life  ;  her  husband  soon  followed  her  ;  and 
within  a  few  years  her  father  followed  his  deceased  wife 
to  Paradise.     Thus 

"  Friend  after  friend  departs.      Who  hath  not  lost  a  friend  ? 
There  is  no  union  here  of  hearts  that  knows  not  here  an  end." 

The  people  of  the  Worthen  Street  Church  were  pleased 
with   the   pastor  from  Attleboro.  "  and  sent  him  a  call," 


THE  AUTHOR  RESOLVES  TO  REVISIT  ENGLAND.  ■    66 


which  he  soon  afterward  accepted.  The  members  of  the 
Worthen  Street  Church,  at  the  "farewell  service,"  pub- 
licly presented  their  retiring  pastor  with  a  series  of  reso- 
lutions ;  also  a  purse  of  money,  to  enable  him  to  make 
a  special  visit  to  any  desirable  place  when  on  the  other  side 
of  the  ocean.  "'The  farewell  meeting'  was  mutually 
pleasant  ;  but  with  conflicting  emotions  we  bade  each 
other  '  good-by, '  but  not  forever. 

Very  soon  he  also  said  "  farewell  "  to  his  wife  and  only 
son,  "Joseph  Fenner,"'  and  sailed  from  Boston  to  Liver- 
pool. After  his  arrival  he  was  the  guest  of  William  King, 
Esq.,  of  Liverpool,  and  in  his  cheerful  household  gradually 
regained  strength.  At  this  visit  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  Rev.  William  M.  Taylor,  who  invited  him  to  preach  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Bootle.  This  large  church  was 
the  result  of  Dr.  Taylor's  intense  devotion  and  great  per- 
severance. After  the  much-beloved  pastor  left  England  to 
be  the  minister  of  "  the  Broadway  Tabernacle"  in  New 
York  Mr.  King  was  unofficially  asked  :  if  the  elders  should 
call  his  guest,  would  he  accept  the  vacant  pastorate  ? 
The  gentleman  was  not  then  aware  that  the  visitor  from 
America  was  a  member  of  a  "  Close  Communion  Baptist 
Church." 

So  soon  as  his  strength  permitted  he  went  to  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  and  visited  museums  and  universities  on  week- 
days, and  heard  eminent  Scotch  divines  preach  on  Sun- 
days, including  the  Rev.  Dr.  Caird,  of  Glasgow,  who  had  be- 
come widely  known  through  a  single  sentence  in  the 
sermon  he  had  preached  when  "the  Queen  was  present!" 
The  Doctor  had  the  Scotch  temerity  to  say  :  "  So  far  as  or- 
ganization may  be  involved,  there  is  no  more  true  religion 
in  the  Established  Church  of  England  than  in  the  Royal 
Exchange  at  its  metropolis  !"  "  The  Doctor  is  an  able  and 
impressive  preacher,   but  years   ago   used  hard   sentences. 


66  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

In  a  sermon  on  '  We  who  have  Believed  do  Enter  unto 
Rest,'  the  learned  professor  and  preacher  said  :  '  The  Chris- 
tian's rest  is  not  the  rest  of  immobility,  but  the  rest  of  equi- 
poise.' "  The  verger  conducted  the  author  to  a  seat 
located  where  he  could  hear  and  see  the  preacher,  and  take 
notes  of  the  sermon,  and  also  his  oratoric  portrait.  Attired 
in  gown  and  bands,  the  Doctor  preached  a  very  able  and 
instructive  discourse,   which   was  solemn  and  impressive. 

While  in  Glasgow,  the  author  heard  the  Rev.  Dr.  Candlish, 
a  fearless  leader  of  the  "  Free  Kirk  schism.  "  He  ascended 
the  stairs  of  his  pulpit  more  rapidly  than  Canon  Liddon  enters 
the  pulpit  at  St.  Paul's,  London  !  A  small  fold  of  the  Doc- 
tor's gown  was  caught  by  the  pulpit  door  as  he  quickly 
closed  it,  but  it  was  released  by  the  attending  verger.  The 
Doctor's  face  was  wrinkled,  and  his  noble  head  had  curly 
hair.  His  accent  was  "very  Scotch."  His  utterance  was 
rapid.  His  sentences  were  bright  with  lucid  textual  expo- 
sition. At  times  he  placed  his  hands  on  his  notes,  as  if  an 
invisible  thief  designed  to  steal  them,  looked  straight  into 
the  faces  of  his  deeply  attentive  hearers,  and  nervously  ut- 
tered his  successive  sentences.  He  then  straightened  him- 
self for  a  moment,  and  in  the  style  described  began  a  new 
division.  The  learned  Doctor  "  spoke  from  a  warm  heart 
and  made  cold  hearts  feel,  and  this  is  eloquence."  Dr. 
Candlish  lived  to  see  the  disruption  storm  his  power  had 
evoked  calmed.  He  died  in  peace,  sincerely  loved,  greatly 
admired,  and  highly  respected.  He  possessed  the  fearless- 
ness of  John  Knox  whenever  he  believed  that  right  was 
on  his  side,  and  fought  against  the  Established  Church  of 
Scotland  as  daringly  as  Dr.  Cumming,  of  the  Scotch  Kirk, 
Crown  Court,  London,  battled  against  "  Papal  aggres- 
sion" in  England. 

In  Edinburgh  the  author  attended  service  in  the  crowded 
church    in    which    the  Rev.  Dr.   Guthrie    preached.      The 


THE  AUTHOR  RESOLVES  TO  REVISIT  ENGLAND.      67 

theological  prayer  gave  the  key-note  of  the  sermon.  The 
preacher  was  six  feet  in  height,  had  a  noble  presence,  great 
power  of  graphic  description,  a  sonorous  voice  and 
fluency  of  speech.  "It  was  good  to  be  there."  The 
Doctor  preached  a  powerful  and  impressive  sermon  on 
man  his  own  tempter,  and  the  subtle  and  vigilant  adver- 
sary his  external  tempter  to  induce  him  to  commit  his 
easily  besetting  sin.  Dr.  Guthrie  was  the  pioneer  in  estab- 
lishing "Ragged  Schools"  in  Scotland.  He  was  also  a 
great  friend  of  the  poor  who  exist  in  the  disease-breeding 
hovels  of  Edinburgh,  and  also  a  leader  in  the  Midnight 
Mission  efforts  to  rescue  the  fallen  and  abandoned  from  the 
bitter  pains  of  the  second  death.  A  person  was  asked  : 
"How  does  Dr.  Guthrie  compare  with  Dr.  CandlishV' 
"  The  hearer  of  Dr.  Candlish  may  be  compared  to  a  person 
passing  through  a  field  of  ripened  wheat  ;  but  the  hearer  of 
Dr.  Gut/wie  resembles  a  man  who  is  passing  through  a 
beautiful  garden  of  variegated  and  fragrant  flowers." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Guthrie  now  rests  with  many  of  the  rich 
and  of  the  poor  whom  his  pictorial  sermons  allured  to  "  set 
their  affection  on  things  above."  The  Doctor  when  first 
settled  became  discouraged.  He  closed  one  of  his  sermons 
by  relating  an  illustrative  incident.  The  sleepy  hearers 
became  attentive.  He  pursued  the  same  mode  on  succes- 
sive Sundays.  His  congregation  gradually  increased,  until 
his  church  could  contain  no  more.  As  from  his  study  win- 
dow he  could  see  the  distant  ocean,  and  had  seen  some  ves- 
sels wrecked,  his  nautical  illustrations  closed  a  number  of 
his  sermons.  It  was  reported  that  he  could  not  preach  with- 
out using  one  of  them,  This  is  an  exaggeration  belonging 
to  the  class,  "always,  all  the  time,  forever,"  etc.  It  is, 
however,  true  that  after  he  came  to  Edinburgh,  at  times  he 
related  what  he  had  seen  of  the  eventful  life  of  those  who 
sail  in  ships  and  do  business  on  the  deep  waters. 


68  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE  REV.  C.  H.  SPURGEON,  THE  BAPTIST  ORATOR. 

The  Metropolitan  Tabernacle — Americans  with  Bowie  Knives—- 
The  Opening  Service — The  Blind  Mans  Ecstasy — Spurgeoti 's 
Continental  Tour — Caricatures  of  the  Papacy — The  Baptistery 
at  Pisa. 

During  the  building  of  the  Metropolitan  Tabernacle  in  London 
the  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon  concluded  "  not  to  preach  in  his 
new  Tabernacle  until  the  capacious  structure  had  been 
paid  for,  so  that  it  would  be  the  Lord's,  and  not  the  build- 
er's." He  did  not  approve  of  debts  on  places  for  the  wor- 
ship of  Almighty  God.  To  him  it  was  painful  to  read  of 
a  church  or  chapel  that  had  been  built  for  one  of  God's 
holy  temples  sold  by  the  sheriff  to  cover  the  amount  of  the 
foreclosed  mortgage.  He  therefore  consented  to  receive 
the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  tickets  of  admission  to  his  own 
services  in  many  places  toward  the  fifteen  thousand  pounds 
sterling — the  cost  of  his  Tabernacle.  Shortly  before  the 
Tabernacle  was  completed  the  author  was  conducting 
evangelistic  services  in  Annan,  Scotland,  the  birthplace  of 
Edward  Irving.  Desiring  to  be  present  at  the  opening 
services,  he  arranged  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Reed,  author  of  a 
book  named  "  The  Blood,"  to  take  charge  of  the  service  at 
the  close  of  the  farewell  sermon.  The  author  pressed 
through  the  crowded  aisle,  entered  a  carriage  in  waiting 
outside,  and  travelled  during  the  night,  and  reached  Lon- 
don in  time  to  attend  the  bazaar  in  the  Tabernacle.     There 


REV.    C.  //.   SPCrRGEON. 


were  no  "  wheels  of  fortune,"  nor  "  grab  bags,"  nor  other 
gambling  devices.  But  he  was  amused  when  a  fair  lady 
said  :  "I  do  not  admire  Americans  !"  "  Why  not, 
madam  ?"  She  answered  :  "  I  have  been  told  that  some 
of  them  carry  a  pistol,  or  'bowie'  knife,  or  '  dagger,'  " 
was  the  answer.  He  was  a  little  amused,  for  on  her  own 
large  table  were  several  ugly-looking  daggers  for  sale,  in 
order  to  increase  the  building  fund  !  Some  people  were  at 
that  time  ignorant  of  much  that  pertained  to  America 
and  Americans. 

At  Madam  Tussaud's  exhibition  of  life-like  wax- works  of 
eminent  people  now  dead,  a  visitor  said  to  Captain  Knight  : 
"  You  speak  the  English  language  very  plainly  I"  With  a 
smile,  he  replied:  "Yes;  I  learned  English  while  at  an 
American  school."  He  was  additionally  amused  when 
told  that  his  complexion  was  fair  for  a  native  American. 
The  intelligent-/^///^  Englishman  imagined  that  the 
majority  of  American  citizens  were  colored  folk  !  An 
eminent  Scotch  divine,  who  kindly  accompanied  the  au- 
thor to  the  Orphan  Buildings  in  Bristol,  to  persuade  Mr. 
Miiller,  their  founder,  to  admit  him  then,  as  he  might  be 
unable  to  visit  Bristol  on  a  day  when  visitors  were  admitted, 
soberly  asked  :  "  Is  not  Virginia  in  New  England  ?"  He  was 
very  familiar  with  Hebrew  and  Greek,  and  a  reliable  author- 
ity on  "  Biblical  Exegesis,"  but  he  had  neglected  to  study 
the  geography  of  America.  Because  some  Englishmen, 
many  years  ago,  firSt  settled  in  Virginia,  he  supposed  that 
they  had  left  "  old  England  for  new  England  !"*  The 
author  did  not  purchase  one  of  the  daggers  at  the  Taber- 
nacle bazaar  referred  to,  and  the  lady  who  had  them  on 
sale  was  no  longer  afraid  of  some  Americans. 

At  one  of  the  opening   services   afterward  held   in  the 

*  This  dear  brother  is  now  numbered  with  the  "  blessed  dead." 


70  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

paid-for  Tabernacle,  one  of  the  preachers  was  an  eminent 
Baptist  minister  from  Bristol,  whose  people  did  not  exam- 
ine "  insurance  tables"  to  ascertain  "  how  long  he  would 
probably  live,"  but  when  he  was  sixty  years  of  age  they 
built  for  him  a  more  capacious  house  of  worship  !  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon,  before  he  introduced  him,  said  that  a 
colored  clergyman  from  America  had  asked  him  whether 
the  five  points  of  Calvinism  had  reference  to  the  reflect- 
ing gazaliers  in  the  oval  dome  of  this  vast  building  ;  and 
then  introduced  the  Rev.  Evan  Probert,  of  Bristol,  who 
would  enlighten  him  on  "  one  of  the  five  points  of  Calvin- 
ism— viz.,  God 's  Sovereignty  in  Election."  At  another  service , 
an  author,  whose  practical  works  have  had  a  wide  circu- 
lation, was  the  preacher,  and  his  "  point"  "Effectual  Call- 
ing." But  the  reporters  dropped  their  pencils  and  the 
audience  smiled  when  he  said  :  "  This  calling  will  be 
//effectual,  because  the  calling  is  by  the  //eternal,  //omnipo- 
tent,  and  the  //everlasting  Jehovah."  Mr.  Spurgeon, 
after  the  service,  asked  :  u  Do  I  add  the  h  to  words  be- 
ginning with  a  vowel?"  "No,"  was  the  answer;  "but 
an  English  Methodist  minister  in  America  exhorted  his 
hearers,  saying  :  "  If  you  feel  your  need  of  religion,  come 
hat  once  //up  to  this  //altar  !" 

When  the  Tabernacle  was  opened  for  religious  services,  eminent 
divines  of  "  all  persuasions  "  were  present.  Services  were 
held  daily  for  nearly  three  weeks.  The  author  heard  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon's  first  sermon  therein,  and  also  the  able 
sermons  of  others.  One  afternoon  he  was  showing  his 
father,  a  Congregational  minister,  the  new  marble  bap- 
tistery, and  smilingly  said  :  "  My  father  cannot  see  the 
use  of  so  much  water  !"  The  pastor  is  naturally  humorous, 
and  also  reverential.  He  sometimes  makes  his  auditors 
smile,  and  at  other  times  weep.  But  for  his  power  of  re- 
action, his  highly  wrought-up  mind  would  lose  its  balance. 


THE  REV.   C.  II.  SPURGEON.  71 

At  the  first  baptism  in  the  Tabernacle  one  of  the  candi- 
dates was  a  blind  man.  As  each  came  up  out  of  the  water, 
he  was  led  by  one  of  the  deacons  to  the  back  of  the 
baptistery.  When  all  the  candidates  had  been  immersed, 
they  faced  the  congregation,  and  while  over  six  thousand 
voices  were  singing,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings 
flow,"  the  blind. man's  face  beamed  with  brightness.  The 
light  of  life  in  his  soul  shone  through  his  seared  and  up- 
raised eyeballs.  Many  who  had  eyes  to  see  him  had  to 
wipe  their  tears  away  in  order  to  gaze  at  the  sign  of  his 
ecstasy. 

Th:  Rev.  T.  Armitage,  D.D.,  of  New  York,  who  was  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Spur  peon's  guest,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fulton,  of 
Brooklyn,  who  also  preached  in  the  Metropolitan  Taber- 
nacle, often  interest  friends  by  relating  incidents  respect- 
ing the  renowned  and  useful  pastor,  who,  when  a  young 
man,  was  shamefully  maligned,  caricatured,  and  held  up 
for  public  ridicule.  Because  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon 
was  admired  for  his  Calvinism,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bel- 
lew,  a  church  clergyman,  for  his  smooth  rhetoric,  a  Lon- 
don caricaturist  sought  to  enrich  himself  by  publishing  a 
portrait  of  each  side  by  side,  entitled  ''Brimstone  and 
Treacle  J"  But  for  many  years  the  latter  has  retained  his 
hold  upon  masses  of  the  people.  To  the  affirmation, 
"  But  most  of  his  hearers  are  very  illiterate,"  this  is  the 
answer:  "It  would  be  a  miracle  if  over  six  thousand 
hearers  who  are  fools  could  be  induced  to  crowd  the  vast 
Tabernacle  whenever  the  pastor  preaches  !"  His  brother 
is  a  Baptist  minister ;  but  the  pastor  of  the  Taber- 
nacle said:  "My  brother  is  the  gentleman  preacher; 
I  am  the  working  minister."  The  elements  of  Mr. 
Spurgeon' s  powers  as  a  sacred  orator  are  :  (a)  He  pos- 
sesses a  very  sensitive  nervous  system  ;  {£)  a  good  constitu- 
tion ;  (c)  cultivated  vocal  organs  ;    (d)  unusual   facility  of 


72  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

utterance  ;  (e)  a  degree  of  self-confidence,  so  that  when  he 
"  has  an  idea,"  without  much  trembling  he  can  express 
it  lucidly,  and  with  corresponding  emotion.  He  has  a 
sonorous  voice,  and  his  general  style  of  preaching  may  be 
termed  the  intensified  conversational.  His  sermons  are 
intensely  practical,  for  he  believes  that  there  is  no  preaching 
like  that  which  is  experimental,  and  that  those  who  try  to 
do  good  to  others  must  first  do  good  to  themselves,  because 
it  is  in  vain  to  give  instruction  on  paths  which  the  instruc- 
tor has  never  trodden,  or  to  speak  of  the  benefits  of  grace 
which  he  has  never  experienced. 

One  evening  three  young  men  were  inattentive  in  the 
upper  gallery  ;  but  he  soon  made  them  ashamed,  by  say- 
ing :  "  When  I  go  to  a  Jewish  synagogue,  as  is  the  cus- 
torrf,  I  always  wear  my  hat.  But  this  is  a  tabernacle,  not 
a  synagogue  ;  and  if  the  three  young  Jews  yonder  will  re- 
move their  hats  they  will  comply  with  the  custom  of  men 
in  this  place  of  worship."  They  instantly  took  oft  their 
hats,  and  no  longer  disturbed  the  people  who  were  near 
them.  Mr.  Spurgeon  occasionally  causes  a  smile  by  a 
sentence  like  this  :  "  The  devil  had  received  so  many  hard 
knocks  from  John  Knox,  of  Scotland,  that  when  Knox 
was  dying  Satan  gave  him  hard  knocks  !  but  through  God's 
grace  the  adversary  was  defeated,  and  John  Knox  died  in 
triumph."  In  some  respects  Mr.  Spurgeon  is  like  the 
Vicar  of  Kidderminster,  who  united  in  revival  work  with 
the  Wesleys  and  Whitefield.  When  rebuked  for  making 
people  smile,  he  replied  :  "  I  was  born  with  the  fool's  cap 
on  my  head,  and  cannot  remove  it."  American  clergymen 
nobly  "  stand  up  for  their  brethren."  When  one  was 
asked  :  "  How  does  Mr.  Spurgeon  compare  with  Mr. 
Beecher  ?"  he  replied  :  "  Mr.  Spurgeon  is  the  Bunyan  of 
the  English  pulpit,  but  Mr.  Beecher  the  Shakespeare  of 
the  American  pulpit." 


THE  REV.   C.  11.   SPURGEON.  T.\ 


A  few  years  later  the  author  heard  Pastor  Sturgeon's  lect- 
ure on  his  "Continental  Tour,''  which  was  one  of  great 
interest,  and  was  frequently  and  loudly  applauded  ;  and 
though  its  delivery  occupied  more  than  two  hours,  none 
seemed  weary  of  listening,  though  many  must  have  been 
tired  of  standing.  The  lecturer  graphically  described  the 
ruins  in  Paris  of  what  was  venerable  and  beautiful  ;  alluded 
to  the  little  time  allowed  to  passengers  to  dine  at  Dijon  ; 
to  the  hand-chapping  cold  that  greeted  them  at  Lyons  ;  to 
his  great  pleasure  at  seeing  the  M-  dilerranean  Sea,  on  which 
St.  Paul  had  sailed  and  where  the  Euroclydon  blew  ;  de- 
scribed his  ride  from  Marseilles  to  Nice — rocks  on  every 
side,  of  the  loveliest  color,  like  shot  silk,  varying  ever  as 
you  passed  between  them,  peeps  ever  and  anon  of  the 
blue  sea,  olive  gardens  everywhere,  and  orange  groves  in 
full  bearing  ;  gave  an  account  of  how  he  spent  Sunday  in 
Nice ;  of  his  first  acquaintance  with  mosquitoes,  which  he 
unfortunately  shut  inside  his  bed  curtains  ;  alluded  to  his 
sermon  preached  to  a  congregation  of  English,  French, 
Spaniards,  and  Lascars  on  an  American  man-of-\var,  and 
thought  his  name  should  be  enrolled  as  a  Chaplain  of  the 
United  States  Navy  ;  described  his  charming  ride  by 
Monaco  as  he  proceeded  toward  Italy  ;  alluded  to  the  pict- 
uresque scenery,  and  the  gardens  of  semi-tropical  pro- 
duce, and  the  balmy  air,  and  indescribable  prospect  seen 
along  the  beautiful  road  from  Mentone  to  Genoa  ;  referred 
to  the  leaning  tower  at  Pisa,  and  to  the  splendid  baptistery, 
"  that  evidently  was  never  built  for  the  baptism  of  babes, 
any  more  than  the  Mont  Cenis  Tunnel  was  built  for  a  fly 
to  buzz  through/'*  He  described  his  arrival  in  Rome, 
the  memorable  Arch  of  Titus,  the  Colosseum,   St.  Peter  s,  the 


*  This   statement  is  misleading,  for  on  corners  of    the    capacious  bap- 
tistery are  sections  for  the  immersion  of  the  "  little  ones." 


74  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Vatican,  the  Catacombs,  Rome  s  works  of  art  and  relics.  The 
lecture  was  closed  by  a  number  of  dissolving  views  painted 
from  photographs  sent  home  by  Mr.  Spurgeon.  The  size  of 
the  Tabernacle  permitting  the  use  of  a  very  large  screen, 
the  views  were  seen  with  unusual  advantage,  and  included 
the  Ruins  of  Paris,  the  Leaning  Tower  of  Pisa,  the  Arch  of 
Titus,  and  St.  Peter,  s  at  Rome,  and  also  several  of  the 
caricatures  at  that  time  circulated  in  Rome,  showing  that 
the  popular  feeling  toward  the  Pope  and  the  Papal  system 
was  one  of  hatred. 

Mr.  Spurgeon  also  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  re- 
ligious services  he  held  in  the  "Eternal  City" — how  he  was 
interrupted  at  one  of  them  by  a  secular  priest,  and  of  his 
sermon  in  the  Presbyterian  Free  Church.  As  he  had  been 
charged  with  having  said  and  done  some  very  strange 
things,  he  replied  that  he  did  nothing  remarkable,  but 
preached  there  the  same  as  he  did  at  home. 


SPC/RGEON'S  INCREASING  INFLUENCE.  76 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE    REV.    C.     H.    SPURCEOn's    INCREASING    INFLUENCE. 

His  Enemies  Disappointed — Ministerial  Subtlety —  Various  Kinds 
of  Evangelists  —  Consecrated  Laymen  —  Richard  Weaver  — 
Reginald  Radeliff  —  Mr.  Thistlethwait  —  The  Handsome 
English  Nobleman  —  Bible  Readings  in  Drawing-Rooms  — 
Summary  of  Spurgeon's  Ministry  —  The  Orb  of  Revival 
Ascending  Higher. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Spur g eon 's  foes  labored  to  make  him  appear 
ridiculous,  but  only  increased  his  popularity.  Street  sing- 
ers sang  satirical  songs,  and  sold  printed  copies  to  the 
crowd  who  listened  to  their  doggerel.  One,  which  de- 
scribed him  as  possessed  of  great  ability  to  make  sover- 
eigns jump  from  people's  pockets  into  his  Tabernacle's 
treasury,  was  illustrated  by  an  old  wood-cut  caricature  of 
a  stout  "  Lord  Bishop"  in  his  robes,  and  grasping  in  each 
hand  a  heavy  bag  of  gold,  with  the  large  amount  therein 
printed  on  each  sack.  When  Mr.  Spurgeon  preached  in  the 
old  Park  Street  Chapel  a  report  was  circulated  that,  to  show 
how  easy  it  is  to  descend  to  perdition,  he  slided  headfore- 
most down  the  handrail  of  the  stairs  of  his  pulpit  ;  but  to 
show  how  hard  it  is  to  reach  heaven  he  laboriously  climbed 
up  the  railing  to  his  pulpit  door.  Those  who  visited  the 
chapel  to  witness  grotesque  clerical  gymnastics  saw  neither 
stairs  nor  handrail,  for  he  entered  through  a  doorway  at 
the  back  of  the  pulpit.  Many  whom  curiosity  had  induced 
to  visit   the  chapel   were  greatly  disappointed,   but  some 


76  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


were  benefited,  and   in   due  time  added  to  his  increasing 
congregation. 

Even  some  of  the  ministers  made  him  a  target  for  their 
ridicule,  and  labored  to  destroy  the  youthful  preacher's 
influence.  But  after  his  new  Tabernacle  was  opened  they 
cringingly  paid  the  renowned  pastor  their  "  profound  re- 
spects, and  desired  a  seat  near  him  at  the  opening  ser- 
vices !"  Mr.  Spier geon  says  he  is  indebted  to  his  enemies  for 
his  great  popularity ;  but  as  they  have  exhausted  their  re- 
servoirs of  slander  and  satire,  future  assailants  must 
quote  from  their  malicious  predecessors.  It  is  said  that 
"  one  man,  with  the  Lord  on  his  side,  is  an  immense  major- 
ity." Mr.  Spurgeon's  foes  learned  that  this  is  true;  for 
his  Tabernacle  is  crowded,  the  work  of  revival  is  continu- 
ous, many  are  weekly  converted,  and  after  their  baptism 
the  pastor  gives  each  some  humble  work  to  do  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  ;  and  they  gladly  labor,  singing  : 

"  There's  a  work  for  me,  and  a  work  for  you, 
Something  for  each  of  us-now  to  do  ! " 

The  Lord  yearly  raised  up  all  kinds  of  ministers  to  preach 
the  Gospel  to  all  kinds  of  people.  Richard  Weaver, 
the  converted  prize-fighter,  became  a  valiant  soldier, 
and  in  fields  and  large  squares  fearlessly  preached  the 
Gospel  to  very  rough  people.  English,  and  Irish,  and 
Scotch  evangelists,  including  Brownlow  North,  itinerated 
through  Great  Britain,  and  preached  a  free  and  full  salva- 
tion to  whosoever  believeth.  Evangelist  Caughey,  of  America, 
visited  many  Methodist  chapels,  and  caused  a  great  stir 
among  "  backsliders  and  sinners  who  are  at  ease  in  Zion." 
Talented  laymen,  like  Reginald  Radclijf,  consecrated  their 
fortunes  to  Christ  and  their  time  to  proclaim  His  glories. 
The  author  was  with  this  devoted  evangelist  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  revival  iii  Paris,  and  aided  him  at  the  after-meet- 


SPURGEON'S  INCREASING  INFLUEh  11 


Lags.   The  converts  included  The  Rev.  Pastor  Mono  cC  s  talent  eh 

son,  which  caused    his    highly  esteemed  father  and  numer- 
ous friends  to  greatly  rejoice. 

Mr,  Thistlethwait  followed  Mr.  Radcliff 's  example,  and 
we  aided  E,  P.  Hammond  at  services  in  churches  in  Liver- 
pool, and  helped  each  other  at  evangelistic  services  in  the 
streets.  After  one  service  a  man  said  :  "  I  was  on  my  way 
to  commit  suicide,  but  the  singing  attracted  my  attention, 
and  here  I  am  alive  f '  Lord  Radstoch,  called  ' '  the  handsome 
nobleman  of  England,''  without  whose  presence  no  fashion- 
able party  was  considered  "  complete,"  after  his  conver- 
sion gave  Bible  Readings  in  the  drawiog-rooms  of  some  of 
England's  aristocracy,  and  awakened  a  great  interest  in 
11  the  Word  of  the  Lord."  In  St.  Petersburg  he  held  similar 
services  in  the  palace,  and  members  of  the  royal  household, 
including  countesses  and  princes,  while  listening  to  his 
expositions  of  the  Gospel,  shed  tears  of  penitence.  At  the 
close  of  the  services  a  number  "  heartily  thanked  him  for 
having  shown  them  the  Way  of  Life  and  directed  them 
and  their  children  into  the  paths  of  peace." 

A    BRIEF  SUMMARY  OF    SPURGEON's  EVANGELISTIC    MINISTRY. 

Spurgeon  when  a  lad  was  told  by  an  uneducated  and  rug- 
ged Methodist  lay  preacher  to  "  look  to  Christ  and  live." 
He  obeyed  the  command  ;  and  soon,  in  very  humble  build- 
ings, he  proclaimed  His  Saviour's  glories  to  others.  Many 
experienced  that 

"  There  is  life  for  a  look  at  the  Crucified  One." 

His  fame  as  a  preacher  soon  reached  Londofi ;  but  to  the 
Deacon  who  sent  him  the  official  invitation  to  become  the 
Pastor  of  the  Park  Street  Chapel  he  modestly  replied 
that  the  Deacons  were  probably  not  aware  that  he  was  but 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


eighteen  years  of  age.  He  afterward  consented  to  visit 
them,  but  when  he  saw  the  massive  columns  of  the  chapel's 
portico  his  heart  sank  within  him.  His  sermons  produced 
a  very  deep  impression  ;  the  almost  deserted  chapel  was 
soon  crowded,  and  he  decided  to  accept  the  call,  and  to 
preach  Christ  in  London  ;  but  so  many  "  believed  and 
were  baptized  "  that  after  the  capacious  chapel  was  en- 
larged it  could  only  accommodate  the  members  of  his 
church.  Exeter  Hall,  the  Surrey  Music  Hall,  and  the 
largest  halls  that  could  be  secured  for  his  evangelistic  ser- 
vices, were  too  small  to  accommodate  crowds  who  thronged 
their  entrances  anxious  to  hear  the  full-orbed  Gospel 
preacher. 

At  the  time  the  youthful  preacher  began  his  ministry  in  London 
many  ministers  almost  apologized  for  preaching  what  God 
had  revealed,  and  their  sermons  were  apologetic.  But 
after  they  learned  that  Spurgeon  had  gathered  so  large  a 
congregation  by  emphasizing  the  awful  threatenings  of 
the  Gospel,  as  well  as  its  precious  promises,  many  of  the 
timid  ministers  became  courageous  ;  and,  realizing  that 
they  were  not  responsible  for  the  solemn  truths  revealed, 
but  only  for  their  faithful  proclamation,  they  imitated  his 
example.  Newman  Hall,  and  Robert  Aitken,  and  Father  Ben- 
son, and  other  pastor- evangelists  earnestly  preached  the  whole 
Gospel  to  crowded  congregations.  Bishops,  Deans  and 
Canons  held  evangelistic  services  in  the  naves  of  abbeys 
and  cathedrals,  and  proclaimed  to  the  long-neglected 
masses  that  the  Saviour  died  for  them.  Spurgeon  s  ser- 
mons preached  on  Sundays  are  printed  on  Mondays,  and 
sold  at  a  penny  per  copy  ;  and  some  are  used  by  minis- 
ters who  are  neither  Baptists  nor  Calvinists,  but  whose 
churches  or  chapels  are  at  a  distance  from  London.  His 
sermons  resemble  the  fragrance  and  freshness  of  spring. 
Each  contains  some  phase  of  the  Gospel  emphasized  with- 


SPURGEON'S  INCREASING   INFLUENCE.  7'.' 

out  monotony  of  phrase  or  the  constant  reiteration  of  "  one 
idea.*'  Many  have  been  translated  into  different  lan- 
guages ;  and  the  Gospel  trumpet  sounded  in  the  Metropol- 
itan Tabernacle  is  echoed  and  re-echoed  through  various 
parts  of  Christendom. 

The  holy  fervor  and  moral  courage  of  Pastor  Spurgeon  en- 
kindled zeal  and  holy  boldness  in  others  ;  and  God's  bless- 
ing on  his  labors  incited  many  to  utter,  with  emphasis  : 
"  Thus  saiih  the  Lord"  and  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you .'" 
From  the  Metropolitan  Tabernacle  shekinah  brightness 
seemed  to  shine  upon  the  divided  tribes  of  Zion  ;  and  Gos- 
pel patriarchs,  including  the  Rev.  Dr.  Binney,  of  London  ; 
Dr.  IV.  Hamilton,  of  Leeds  ;  Rev.  John  Angel  James,  of 
Birmingham  ;  the  Rev.  EvanProbert,  of  Bristol  ;  Dr.  Raffles, 
of  Liverpool  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woods  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bonar, 
of  Scotland  ;  the  Rev.  Denham  Smith,  of  Dublin  ;  and  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Bunting,  with  other  venerable  ministers  in  Eng- 
land, Ireland,  Scotland  and  Wales,  in  view  of  the  bright 
precursors  of  another  great  revival,  could  say,  with 
Simeon  :  "  Lord,  noiu  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace. ' ' 

The  eloquent  Dr.  Pitnshon  and  Evangelist  Caughey,  Method- 
ists ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parker,  of  the  London  Temple,  Congre- 
gationalist  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cumming,  the  Rev.  Dr.  James 
Hamilton,  and  the  Rev.  William  M.  Taylor,  Presbyterians  ; 
the  Rev.  Hugh  Stowell  Brown,  who  preaches  to  several 
thousands  in  his  enlarged  Baptist  Chapel,  Liverpool,  and 
to  many  thousands  more  at  "  services  for  the  masses"  in 
the  open  air  ;  the  Archbishop  of  York,  the  Deans  of  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral  and  Westminster  Abbey,  and  eminent  ca?wns  of 
their  chapters,  are  included  among  the  ministers  who 
preached  Christ,  crucified,  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  For 
a  season  temporary  iron  churches  were  rapidly  erected  in 
long-neglected   districts  ;   but,  as    they  could  not    contain 


80  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


the  people  who  are  hungering  and  thirsting  for  the  Gospel, 
the  capacious  stone  churches  crowded  with  devout  wor- 
shippers, like  St.  Peter's  new  Church,  Dulwich,  London,  of 
which  the  Rev.  IV.  Calvert,  A.K.S.,  is  the  faithful  Vicar,  are 
memorials  that  wherever  the  pure  Gospel  is  plainly,  ear- 
nestly and  affectionately  preached,  the  good  results  are 
generally  identical. 

Midler  s  Orphan  Houses  illustrate  what  temporal  and  spir- 
itual blessings  one  man,  who  is  "  full  of  faith,"  can  bring 
from  God's  treasure-house  of  plenty  for  poor  neglected 
children.  The  work  of  Evangelists  Moody  and  Sankey  shows 
what  united  clergy  might  do  to  "  rescue  the  perishing;" 
and  the  widespread  influence  of  Spurgeon  manifests  what 
one  man  full  of  the  spirit  of  the  living  God  might  do  to 
revive  languishing  Zion. 

The  Pastor's  College  attached  to  the  Tabernacle  is  sup- 
ported by  the  weekly  offertory  of  a  penny  from  each  visitor, 
amounting  to  over  ten  thousand  dollars  per  annum  ;  with 
this  and  donations  from  other  sources  Mr.  Spurgeon  is  en- 
abled to  pay  able  professors,  and  to  support  a  large  number 
of  students  who  are  practically  instructed.  Year  after  year 
his  earnest  evangelists  visit  different  places  at  home  and 
abroad  ;  soon  competent  pastors  follow  them  to  take 
charge  of  the  new  congregations  gathered  through  God's 
blessing  on  their  faithful  labors. 

' '  Like  a  new  orb  flinging  its  splendor  upon  the  evening  sky, ' ' 
the  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon  showed  ministers  what  they 
ought  to  do  to. save  the  masses  and  how  to  reach  them  j  and, 
in  view  of  the  holy  impulse  he  gave  to  ministers  of  high 
and  low  degree  to  bring  sinners  to  the  Saviour,  is  not 
the  Pastor  of  the  Metropolitan  Taber?iacle,  London,  worthy 
of  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  gallery  of  evangelists 
under  whose  labors  the  orb  of  revival  is  rising  higher  and 
higher  ? 


Sri'RGEON'S  INCREASING   INFLUEA  81 

"  Soon  shall  we  see  the  glorious  morning, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  ! 
Sinners,  attend  the  note  of  warning, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  ! 
The  resurrection  day  draws  near, 
The  King  of  saints  shall  soon  appear, 
And  high  the  royal  standard  rear, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  ! 

"  Hear  ye  the  trump  of  God  resounding, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  ! 
Through  all  the  vaults  of  death  rebounding, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  ! 
To  meet  the  Bridegroom,  haste,  prepare, 
Put  on  your  bridal  garments  fair, 
And  hail  your  Saviour  in  the  air, 

Saints  arise  !  saints  arise  !" 


82  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

"  WHY  DID    THE  AUTHOR  RETURN  TO  THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  ?" 

How  he  was  Led  to  Leave  it — The  Influence  of  a  Companion 
—  Where  did  Christ  Command  that  Children  be  Baptized? 
— He  Could  not  Find  the  Passages — Embarrassed  by  "  Close 
Communion" — Resolved  to  Return  to  the  Church  in  which 
Baptized — Severe  Mental  Conflicts — Following  the  Path  of 
Duty — Made  a  Deacon  by  Bishop  Clark — Ordained  Presbyter 
by  Bishop  Stevens — Other  Ministers  Follow  his  Example. 

When  about  twelve  years  of  age  the  author  s  most  intimate  com- 
panion was  a  Baptist.  After  they  had  seen  a  number  of 
children  baptized  in  St.  James'  Church,  Bristol,  England, 
his  youthful  associate  asked  him  :  "  Did  Christ  ever  com- 
mand that  children  be  baptized  ?"  Though  he  could 
repeat  the  whole  of  the  Church  Catechism,  his  beloved 
Sunday-school  teacher  had  not  instructed  him  respecting 
the  proper  subjects  for  baptism  ;  and  the  only  answer  he 
could  give  was  :  "  Christ  took  little  children  into  His  arms 
and  blessed  them.''  But  to  the  question  :  '"  Did  He  baptize 
them  ?"  he  could  give  no  satisfactory  answer.  As  he  could 
find  no  passage  commanding,  "  Baptize  the  little  ones,'' 
and  as  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  jailer  at  Philippi  or 
Lydia  of  Thyatira  had  any  children,  he  was  much  per- 
plexed. But  the  immersion  of  adults  by  the  Rev.  G. 
Muller,  in  Bethesda  Chapel,  and  by  the  Rev.  Evan  Probert, 
in  the  Pithay  Chapel,  and  the  accompanying  solemn  ad- 
dresses based  on  positive  precepts,  very  deeply  impressed 


"IVIIY  DID    THE  A  I ' Tlh ) R   R E  TURh  83 


^iim.  At  first  he  accompanied  his  companion  to  the  Bap- 
list  Chapel  occasionally  ;  but  at  length  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sunday-school  class  taught  by  Mr.  Preble,  and 
attended  the  other  services  regularly.  On  one  occasion  a 
servant  was  sent  to  order  him  home,  and  to  thus  leave  the 
chapel  greatly  embarrassed  him  ;  but  at  last  he  was  per- 
mitted to  attend  regularly,  without  fear  of  censure. 
Several  years  after  he  revisited  Bristol,  and  saw  his  Church 
and  his  Baptist  Sunday-school  teachers.  Both  treated 
him  with  very  great  kindness,  as  did  also  the  Rev.  Evan 
Probert*  who  desired  his  photograph  for  his  parlor  ;  and 
another,  with  his  "  Pauline  Chart,"  was  placed  in  the  Sun- 
day-school room  of  his  new  Baptist  Chapel  in  Stokes  Croft. 
Surely,  this  was  kind  ;  for  though  he  had  left  them  they 
did  not  disown  him,  but  were  willing  that  his  picture  re- 
mind them  of  former  days. 

While  conducting  the  revival  services  in  Scotland  re- 
ferred to  in  Part  I.,  Chapter  I.,  p.  68,  the  author  was  anxious 
to  avoid  religious  controversy — which  will  partly  neutralize 
the  good  of  any  revival — and  on  communion  Sundays  ab- 
sented himself,  without  giving  his  reasons.  At  a  communion 
season  in  Spurgeon's  Tabernacle,  instead  of  sitting  near 
the  pastor,  he  took  a  seat  in  the  upper  gallery  ;  but  Mr. 
Spurgeon  saw  him,  and  said  aloud  :  "  Some  one  is  in  the 
gallery  who  ought  to  be  down-stairs  to  commune,  even  if 
exposed  to  discipline  for  communing  with  open  communion 
brethren  !"  He  concluded  that  if  he  should  ever  change 
his  Church  relationship  he  would  do  so  in  his  adopted 
country,  and  not  where  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic  rolled 
between.  After  some  Evangelistic  services  that  he  he2d 
at  Bootle,  Liverpool,  he  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  the 
Baptist  chapel  until  they  could  secure  a  permanent   minis- 

*  He  is  now  with  the  spirits  of  the  just. 


84  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ten  The  Rev.  Dr.  Raffles*  Congregationalist,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Birr  ell,  the  Rev.  Hugh  Stowell  Brown,\  and  the  Rev.  Will- 
iam M.  Taylor,  D.D.,  had  cordially  welcomed  him  to  their 
homes  and  their  pulpits  ;  and  a  large  chapel  in  Liverpool, 
for  continuous  Evangelistic  services,  was  available  ;  yet 
he  concluded  to  make  no  ecclesiastical  change  when  so 
far  away  from  home,  and  told  the  deacons  of  the  chapel 
named  that  he  could  not  serve  them  as  desired,  because 
they  were  "  open  communion,"  and  he  was  a  member  of 
what  a  minister  called  "a  tight  communion"  church  in 
Massachusetts.  But  as  they  offered  to  "  dispense  with 
the  communion  service  until  they  could  secure  a  minis- 
ter," he  concluded  to  serve  them  until  then.  At  the 
"  farewell  service,"  in  the  Sunday-school  room,  on  the 
wall  at  one  end  the  word  "  Welcome"  had  been  placed, 
and  at  the  opposite  end  the  word  "Farewell."  Among 
the  ministers  present  were  the  new  minister,  the  tempo- 
rary pastor,  and  the  Rev.  William  M.  Taylor,  now  pastor 
of  the  Broadway  Tabernacle,  New  York  City.  After  the 
"  Tea  Meeting" — tea  provided  by  the  ladies — and  devo- 
tional services,  Dr.  Taylor  delivered  an  able  address,  wel- 
coming the  new  pastor.  The  retiring  temporary  minister 
congratulated  the  deacons  and  congregation  that  they  had 
obtained  a  permanent  shepherd.  Then  Dr.  Taylor  spoke 
encouraging  words  to  the  temporary  pastor,  who  intended 
soon  to  sail  for  home  in  the  Great  Eastern.  But,  alas  ! 
she  broke  her  rudder,  lost  her  paddle-wheels,  and  after 
ten  anxious  days  we  were  towed  into  the  cove  of  Cork, 


*  He  is  now  at  rest  in  Paradise,  awaiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

1  He  was  a  nephew  of  the  eloquent  Canon  Stowell,  of  Manchester  ; 
had  left  the  Church  of  England,  and  soon  became  an  eminent  Baptist 
and  a  famous  lyceum  lecturer,  as  well  as  an  out-door  preacher  to  the 
masses.     He  departed  this  life  February  24th,  18S6. 


■•ir//y  DID    THE   AUTHOR  RETURN!" 

Ireland,  and  at  once  sent  telegrams  and  letters  to  friends 
that  we  were  safe  and  sound,  and  soon  sailed  for  New 
York  in  another  steamer. 

Soon  after  the  author's  arrival  in  America  he  became  the 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Woonsocket,  R.  I.,  and 
did  not  intend  to  change  his  Church  relationship,  for  he 
thought  the  embarrassments  described  might  not  occur 
again.  After  he  had  been  in  Woonsocket  about  fifteen 
months  he  concluded  to  face  the  unpleasant  term  "  change- 
able." This  was  facilitated  by  a  Congregational  minister, 
whose  labors  the  Lord  had  blessed  at  special  services  in 
the  lecture-room  ;  but  after  the  sermon  on  the  following 
Sunday,  knowing  that  he  would  not  be  welcomed  to 
receive  the  Holy  Communion,  he  left  the  church  ;  and 
the  pastor  was  as  much  perplexed  as  a  prominent  Baptist 
deacon,  in  Philadelphia,  who  confessed  that  "  he  welcomed 
Evangelist  Hammond's  converts  to  the  ordinance  of  Holy 
Baptism,  but  could  not  invite  him  to  the  Holy  Commun- 
ion !" 

Not  to  act  hastily,  the  author  examined  every  passage  in  the 
Septuagint  and  in  the  New  Testament  that  referred  to 
baptism,  and  after  due  consideration  concluded  :  (a)  while 
the  primary  import  of  the  term  refers  to  immersion,  and 
in  the  time  of  our  Saviour  baptism  was  thus  administered, 
a  mode  adapted  to  an  Oriental  clime  is  impracticable 
in  other  climes  ;  (b)  this  mode  applied  to  persons  and  not  to 
things  ;  U)  the  Jews  did  not  immerse,  but,  as  commanded, 
sprinkled  what  they  ceremonially  purified  ;  (d)  at  the 
Feast  of  the  Passover,  when  the  Lord's  Supper  was  insti- 
tuted, the  disciples  did  not  immerse  their  hand  when  they 
11  dipped  "  a  portion  of  the  paschal  lamb  in  the  sauce  of 
bitter  herbs  ;  (/)  Dives  did  not  refer  to  "  much  water"  when 
he  implored  Lazarus  to  "  dip  the  tip  of  his  finger  in  water  to 
cool  for  a  second  his  parched  tongue."    Because  the  author 


86  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


could  no  longer  affirm  that  the  word  baptize,  "  u?ilike  other 
words,"  has  one  invariable  meaning,  and,  therefore,  bap- 
tism by  immersion  is  the  only  mode  to  God  acceptable,  he 
finally  concluded  that  it  would  not  be  honest  to  live  on 
money  received  from  the  Baptists,  when  he  could  no  longer 
advocate  their  "  distinctive  principles  and  polity."  He  was 
favorably  impressed  by  the  Prayer-Book  rubric  :  "  Then 
shall  the  minister  take  each  person  by  the  right  hand,  and 
placing  him  conveniently  by  the  font,  .  .  .  then  shall  dip  him 
in  the  water  or  pour  water  upon  him,  saying  :  '  I  baptize  thee 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  Amen.'  "  As  the  author  had  immersed  so  many 
persons  in  England  and  America,  this  Church  authority 
respecting  the  subjects  and  modes  of  baptism  was  a  great 
comfort  to  him.  He  inferred  that  when  emperors  became 
Christians,  and  multitudes  of  the  people  were  baptized, 
the  clergy  gradually  departed  from  the  primitive  mode, 
and  adopted  the  easiest  method  of  administering  this  holy 
ordinance,  which  has  now  become  general  ! 

As  Cong?'egational  Church  polity  allows  any  member  to  vote 
on  important  Church  matters,  independent  of  their  degree 
of  intelligence — and  some  deacons  assume  more  authority 
over  their  ministers  than  the  "  Lord  Bishop  of  London  " 
or  "  His  Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury" — the  author 
resolved  to  return  to  the  authority  of  the  Church  in  which 
he  was  baptized,  and  informed  Alexander  Ballou,  Esq.,  of 
his  decision.  After  he  had  told  the  other  deacons, 
all  were  greatly  perplexed  ;  for  as  the  congregations  were 
large,  and  all  the  pews  rented,  they  had  just  resolved  that 
higher  rates  be  charged  for  their  use,  but  at  once  resolved 
that  the  resolution  be  rescinded.  "  For  the  welfare  of  the 
Church  and  society  "  the  author  was  earnestly  desired  "  not 
to  publicly  announce  his  determination  to  return  to  the 
Episcopal  Church."      Though  this  was  very  embarrassing, 


//'//)'  DID    TUT   AUTHOR   RETUi  87 


a  visitor  at  the  parsonage  soon  broke  the  vow,  "  I  will  not 
mention  it  to  any  one  ;"  and  it  was  not  necessary  to  publish 
it  in  the  papers. 

The  author  was  surprised  by  the  offer  of  "  liberal  compen- 
sation if  he  would  preach  one  sermon  on  Sundays  while  a 
candidate  for  holy  orders  ;"  but  this  was  impracticable, 
while  the  suggestion  that  "  if  he  would  continue  to  be  their 
pastor,  the  Church  would  probably  consent  that  hereafter 
no  person  who  loves  the  Lord  in  sincerity  and  truth  should 
be  excluded  from  the  table  of  the  Lord  !"  But  he  consid- 
ered this  course  undesirable,  for  he  had  not  become  their 
pastor  to  adopt  iconoclastic  methods,  but  to  build  them  up 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Deacon  Jiison  and  the  others, 
with  the  members  of  the  church  and  congregation,  treated 
him  kindly,  which  he  is  glad  to  record. 

In  view  of  the  kindness  of  many  Baptist  ministers,  to 
whose  pulpits  he  was  welcomed,  including  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Armitage,  who  left  the  Church  of  England  because  his 
vicar  or  incumbent  was  dissatisfied  with  some  of  his 
answers  to  parts  of  the  Catechism,  and  said,  "  You  have  evi- 
dently been  to  the  Methodist  chapel  with  your  Evangelical 
Aunt  ;''  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  who  had  rec- 
ommended him  as  a  candidate  for  an  "  influential  church" 
in  Philadelphia  ;  the  disappointment  expressed  by  his 
classmates  at  the  Newton  Theological  Institution  ;  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Simmons  and  others  ;  and  his  great  respect  for 
the  professors  who  had  kept  him  from  sinking  beneath 
billows  of  affliction,  made  his  decision  to  leave  the  Baptists 
additionally  painful.  His  mental  sufferings  he  will  not 
attempt  to  describe,  for  his  decision,  courage,  and 
sympathies  were  strained  to  their  utmost  tension  ;  and  at 
times  he  felt,  "  If  the  will  of  the  Lord,  would  rather  die 
than  leave  dear  old  friends,  to  begin  life  anew  among 
comparative  strangers  ;  for  some  churchmen  had  said,  '  Most 


88  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

of  those  who  come  from  the  sects  into  our  Church  become 
extreme  ritualists  !  '  "  But  one  brother  said  :  "  When  I 
entered  the  Church  some  of  the  Evangelical  clergymen 
seemed  to  view  me  with  suspicion  ;  but  the  high  churchmen 
treated  me  more  cordially,  and  expressed  no  misgivings." 
But  after  personal  communications  with  the  professors  at 
Newton,  the  president,  the  Rev.  Alvah  Hovey,  D.D.,  kindly 
came  to  Woonsocket,  patiently  listened  to  his  reasons  for 
his  unlooked-for  decision,  and  preached  two  able  sermons, 
to  cheer  the  distressed  flock.  The  Rev.  H.B.  Hackett,  D.D., 
sent  him  a  very  kind  letter,  saying  that  "  he  could  not  be 
expected  to  be  glad  to  denominationally  lose  his  old  pupil, 
but  he  did  not  question  the  sincerit}'  of  his  motives,  and 
desired  that  he  might  be  useful  in  the  Church  he  loved 
more  than  any  other."  Professor  Ripley  also  treated 
him  kindly. 

THE    AUTHOR'S    FAREWELL    SERMON    IN    NEWPORT,  R.  I. 

The  Rev.  H.  Malcolm,  D.D.,  earnestly  desired  him  to  re- 
consider his  decision,  for  while  he  would  be  free  from  Bap- 
tist "  close  communion,"  he  would  be  bound  by  "  a  close 
Episcopal  pulpit,"  for  he  could  not  admit  to  his  own  pulpit 
his  own  beloved  and  venerated  father.  The  Doctor  argued 
with  him  all  night,  but  could  not  convince  him  that  his 
decision  was  unwise.  As,  after  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Choules,  the  author  received  a  call  to  be  his  successor, 
and  he  had  a  number  of  friends  in  Newport,  he  accepted 
Dr.  Malcolm's  hearty  invitation  to  occupy  his  pulpit.  On 
Sunday  morning  he  preached  on  the  text,  "  And  Pilate 
gave  sentence  that  it  should  be  as  His  foes  desired;  and  they 
took  Jesus  and  led  Him  away."  The  sermon  set  forth  the 
dangers  of  sacrificing  principle  on  the  altar  of  policy,  as 
portrayed  by  the  accompanying  results  and  the  Procurator's 
awful  end.      In   the   afternoon   he  preached  on   the  words  : 


"WHY  DID    THE  AUTHOR   RETURN 7"  89 


"  Upon  this  Rock  I  will  build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of 
hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it."  The  sermon  depicted  the 
vicissitudes  of  Christ's  Church  in  different  ages  ;  how  God 
frustrates  her  foes  ;  and  at  the  resurrection  her  final  victory 
over  sin  and  death  and  hell  "  through  Jesus  Christ  her 
Lord." 

The  author  was  made  a  Deacon  by  The  Rt.  Rev.  T.-M. 
Clark,  D.D.,  LL.JD.y  in  Grace  Church,  Providence,  R.  I. 
He  was  ordained  a  Priest  by  The  Rt.  Rev.  IV.  B.  Stevens, 
D.jD.,  LL.jD.,  in  the  Church  of  the  Intercessor,  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Perry,  now  the  Bishop  of  Iowa,  and  the  candidate 
presented  by  the  Rev.  James  Saul,  D.  D.,  Rector  of  St. 
Bartholomew's  Church,  Philadelphia. 

The  Rev.  H.  Malcolm,  D.D.,  and  several  other  ministers, 
who  said  :  "  He  will  soon  regret  that  he  left  the  Baptists," 
followed  his  example,  but,  so  far  as  the  author  knows,  they 
have  expressed  no  regrets  ! 


90  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

THE    AUTHOR    AT    WORK    IN    THE     EPISCOPAL     CHURCH. 

The  Bishop 's  Church,  Philadelphia  —  Trinity  Church,  Keokuk — 
Visit  to  Des  Moines — The  Guest  of  Bishop  Lee — Trinity 
Church,  Chicago — St.  Paul's  Church,  Peoria— Is  Organic 
Unity  Practicable? — Its  Advantages — The  Believers'  Re- 
union. 

For  over  five  years  the  author  was  Rector  of  the  Church 
of  the  Intercessor,  Philadelphia,  in  which  he  had  been 
ordained  Presbyter.  For  the  future  welfare  of  the  parish  it 
became  the  Bishop's  Church.  All  the  pew-doors  were  re- 
moved, and  the  church  proclaimed  "  free."  The  Rector 
preached  the  opening  sermon,  which  showed  that  the  cruci- 
fied Saviour  was  the  central  theme  and  all-pervading  truth 
of  Apostolic  preaching.  The  Bishop  preached  an  eloquent 
and  practical  sermon  in  the  evening,  and  the  people  who 
occupied  the  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  pews  and  the 
extra  seats  were  deeply  interested.  The  Bishop  appointed 
the  author  the  Rector,  and  preached  in  his  own  church  as 
often  as  his  numerous  duties  permitted.  The  church  was 
built  during  the  war,  and  financially  embarrassed  ;  and  that 
the  capacious  edifice  was  saved  to  the  Church  caused  great 
astonishment. 

The  years  of  labor  and  anxiety  had  severely  taxed  the 
Rector's  strength,  and  by  the  advice  of  his  physician  he  re- 
signed the  Rectorship,  in  order  to  regain  his  energy.     The 


II'OA'A'  JX    THE    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  91 


kindness  of  Bishop  Stevens  in  desiring  him  to  remain  in 
charge  he  highly  appreciated,  but  he  needed  the  rest  his 
physician  advised  him  to  take.  One  of  the  public  notices 
kindly  said  : 

"  The  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  Priest  in  charge  of  the 
Bishop's  Free  Church,  has  resigned  his  position,  and  will 
take  temporary  rest  before  assuming  other  duties.  Mr. 
Bonham  became  Rector  of  this  church,  then  known  as  the 
Church  of  the  Intercessor,  at  a  period  of  great  depression, 
when  the  financial  affairs  of  the  parish  were  in  almost  hope- 
less confusion.  Aided  by  friendly  laymen,  the  Bishop  very 
wisely  came  to  his  rescue  last  year,  and  by  prompt  busi- 
ness arrangements  saved  to  the  Church  a  property  worth 
$80,000.  Mr.  Bonham  has  labored  intensely  for  five  years, 
and  to  his  and  to  the  Bishop's  zeal  this  valuable  result  is 
thankfully  attributed.  When  business  plans  are  perfected, 
and  the  working  details  decided,  it  is  hoped  that  this 
church,  which  stands  in  a  most  conspicuous  locality,  will 
become  permanently  free  from  pecuniary  trouble.  Mr, 
Bonham  has  prepared  the  way  for  a  successor,  and  de- 
serves for  himself  in  his  future  sphere  the  gratitude  and 
good  wishes  of  the  Church." 

General  Reade*  invited  the  retired  Rector  of  the  Bishop's 
Free  Church  to  visit  Keokuk,  la.,  kindly  gave  him  rail- 
road tickets,  and  after  his  arrival  hospitably  entertained 
him.  By  request  of  the  Rector  and  Vestry  he  preached  in 
Trinity  Church,  Keokuk,  to  attentive  congregations.  By 
invitation  of  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan,  he  next  visited  Des 
Moines,  and  officiated  in  his  church  as  his  strength  per- 
mitted. On  the  author's  arrival  in  Davenport,  la.,  Bishop 
Lee  kindly  sent  a  student  to  invite  him  to  be  his  guest 
while  he   remained    in    the    city.      The  Bishop's  geniality 


;:   He  is  now  at  rest  in  Paradise. 


92  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

greatly  cheered  him,  and  he  was  able  to  occasionally  officiate 
in  different  churches  in  the  city. 

When  the  author  returned  to  Chicago  he  accepted  an  in- 
vitation from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sullivan,  the  Rector,  to  take 
charge  of  Trinity  Church  during  his  absence  from  the  city. 
The  congregations  were  large,  and  he  was  greatly  encour- 
aged by  their  fervor  and  devotion.  Here  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Rylance,  D.D.,  the  earnest 
Rector  of  St.  James'  Church,  now  the  Rector  of  St.  Mark's, 
New  York  City.  While  in  the  city  the  author  received  an» 
invitation  to  preach  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Peoria,  as  they 
were  looking  for  a  Rector.  He  pleasantly  answered  that  it- 
would  not  be  agreeable  to  him  "  to  preach  on  exhibition," 
etc.  The  Vestry  therefore  sent  a  committee  to  worship  God 
in  Trinity  Church,  Chicago,  and  afterward  they  sent  the 
temporary  minister  a  formal  invitation  to  accept  the  Rector- 
ship of  St.  Paul's,  Peoria.  Soon  afterward  he  preached 
therein,  and  on  the  following  day  told  the  Warden  that 
"  the  call  "  had  enabled  him  to  preach  without  embarrass- 
ment, and  he  now  released  the  Vestry  from  all  obligation 
respecting  it.  But  after  he  had  left  Peoria  they  sent  him 
telegrams  and  letters  urging  him  to  become  their  Rector  ; 
and  in  view  of  their  earnestness  and  liberality,  he  decided 
to  do  so. 

Several  Sunday-schools  were  connected  with  the  parish  ; 
and  Alexander  S.  Tyng,  Esq.,  was  an  able  teacher  in  the 
parish  Sunday-school,  and  the  efficient  superintendent  of 
St.  Paul's  Mission  Sunday-school,  which  numbered  about 
five  hundred  children.  But  as  the  Rector  prepared  the 
Sunday-school  lessons  and  published  St.  Paul's  Parish 
Guide,  he  soon  found  his  strength  unduly  taxed  ;  and  as 
the  parish  had  no  assistant  minister,  in  order  not  to  ruin  his 
health  he  tendered  his  resignation  of  the  Rectorship.  One 
brother  asked  :   "  Do  you  think  it  prudent  to  give  up  your 


WORK  IX    THE   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

salary  and  be  at  the  expense  of  foreign  travel  with  no  in- 
come ?"  He  answered  :  "  Just  as  prudent  as  to  premature- 
ly die  and  make  work  for  the  undertaker."  This  would 
have  been  the  case  years  ago,  had  he  not  again  and  again 
decided  to  "  take  a  rest,"  and  pay  the  bills  after  he  regained 
his  strength  to  enable  him  to  do  so.  A  few  extracts  from 
St.  Paul's  Parish  Guide  may  give  some  idea  of  the  Rector's 
multiform  duties. 

ST.    PAUL'S    CHURCH. 


RECTOR. 

REV.  J.  W.  BONHAM. 

WARDENS. 

M.  Griswold.  C.   B.  Allaire. 

VESTRYMEN. 

Orrin  P.  Bissell.  Charles  Seabury. 

P.  R.  K.  Brotherson.  James  Thurlovv. 

Benjamin  F.  Ellis.  H.  R.  Woodward. 

Charles  Ulricson.  W.  B.  Hotchkiss. 

CHORISTER.  ORGANIST. 

C.   F.   Bacon.  Professor  Mann. 

FREE   PEWS. 

The  pews  in  St.  Paul's  Church  are  now  all  free  on  Sun- 
day evenings.  The  increasing  number  of  young  men 
present  at  our  evening  service  is  quite  encouraging.  Two 
weeks  since  a  gentleman  prevailed  on  several  young  men 
to  accompany  him  to  hear  the  Word  of  Life.  May  others 
imitate  this  good  example,  and  realize  that  each  is  ex- 
pected to  do  good  as  well  as  to  receive  good.  By  earnest 
persuasion,  many  who  now  profane  the  Sabbath  and  shun 
the  sanctuary  might  be  induced  to  use  the  pews,  now 
made  free,  and  hear  of  Him  who  is  the  Way,  the  Truth, 
and  the  Life. 


94  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE    DECISION    OF    THE    REV.    J.    BENSON. 

The  numerous  friends  of  the  Rev.  J.  Benson  will  regret 
to  learn  that  he  has  tendered  his  resignation  of  the  Rector- 
ship of  St.  John's  Church,  Peoria,  to  take  effect  early  in 
October.  But  as  the  present  Rector  of  St.  John's  has  ac- 
cepted the  urgent  and  repeated  call  of  St.  James'  Church, 
Lewiston,  what  Peoria  will  lose  Lewiston  will  gain. 

IS    ORGANIC     UNITY     PRACTICABLE  ? 

The  organic  unity  of  Protestant  Christendom  Church- 
men intensely  desire.  With  but  little  sacrifice  on  the  part 
of  the  denominations,  this  union  might  be  effected.  In 
Ireland  a  body  of  Methodists  have  united  with  the  disen- 
dowed Church.  The  large  and  influential  body  called 
Wesleyans  have  been  invited  to  secure  organic  unity  with 
the  Church  of  England.  The  modification  of  the  existing 
mode  of  entering  the  Anglican  Church  is  now  contem- 
plated. 

The  basis  for  union  does  not  contemplate  perfect  uniform- 
ity nor  the  destruction  of  denominational  peculiarities  or 
practices.  The  manner  in  which  the  Methodists  in  America 
may  secure  organic  unity  with  the  historic  Church  is  thus 
set  forth  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  J.  Whitehouse,  D.D.,  LL.D.  : 

"  I  do  not  regard  even  as  possible,  and  certainly  would 
never  justify  it  as  a  formal  proposition,  that  there  should 
be,  on  the  part  of  a  body  so  large,  so  vigorous,  so  benevo- 
lent, so  fully  endowed,  and,  in  some  respects,  so  progres- 
sive, as  the  Methodist  Church  in  these  United  States,  a 
renunciation  of  their  distinctive  position  in  order  to  become 
identified  in  name  and  organization  with  the  '  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States.'  But  by  our  com- 
mon principles  of  Gospel  faith  and  love,  by  the  yearning 
of  our  hearts  for  the  restoration  of  true  unity,  by  the  great 


WORK  IX    THE   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  95 


necessities  of  Christ's  Holy  Church,  so  distracted  and  dis- 
turbed, owing  to  the  present  enfeebled  state  of  Evangelical 
Christendom,  I  would  affectionately  urge  the  important  fact 
that  they  have  within  themselves  the  opportunity  of  draw- 
ing into  still  closer  and  fundamental  union  with  Catholic 
Christendom,  without  in  reality  affecting  the  immediate 
principles  or  peculiar  practices  that  led  to  their  original 
separation.  Should  they  entertain  the  importance  of  the 
regular  historical  succession  in  the  Episcopal  office,  which, 
in  form,  they  consider  essential  to  their  organization,  it 
would  not  be  even  then  necessary  that  they  should  seek  the 
communication  of  that  office  from  our  branch  of  the  Church. 
There  are  Moravian  and  Swedish  successions,  and  if  neither 
of  those  were  by  itself  selected,  there  might  be  effected 
some  combined  arrangement  from  all  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal bodies,  which  would  impart  to  the  Methodists  them- 
selves what  would  be  recognized  as,  so  far,  a  valid  relation 
of  their  own  Episcopal  Government  to  the  reformed 
Church. 

"It  is  obviously  within  their  power,  and  the  power  of 
every  Christian  body  thus  temporarily  divorced  from  visi- 
ble catholicity,  but  which  body  in  reality  holds  and  teaches 
the  Articles  of  Faith  as  contained  in  the  Creeds,  to  assume, 
confess,  and  declare  those  Creeds  as  the  fundamental  sym- 
bols and  unchangeable  expression  of  their  faith.  By  a 
greater  approximation  through  discussion,  concession  and 
Christian  love,  and  large  charity,  with  advanced  historical 
knowledge,  I  can  conceive  that,  without  the  disturbance 
of  the  existent  discipline,  each  may  advance  to  such  a  con- 
dition of  meetness  for  normal  unity  that  the  manifestation 
of  it,  in  God's  Providence,  may  afterward  proceed  natur- 
ally and  quietly.  Not  a  unity  of  compromise  ;  not  a  unity 
that  proceeds  upon  the  basis  of  a  real  disunion  ;  not  that 
founded  so  entirely  upon  human  expediency  as  to  be  liable 


96  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

to  be  overturned  by  ever}*  breath  of  human  caprice  or  will  ; 
but  a  unity  recognizing  again  the  great  purposes  of  Christ 
in  His  visible  '  fullness  ;'  restoring  the  institutions  as  ap- 
pointed by  Him,  which  have  been  perpetuated  through  all 
disaster,  difficulty,  and  disorder.  For  this  recognition  of  a 
real  catholicity  I  feel  that  God  is  preparing  each  branch  oi 
His  Church,  and  the  more  ordered  denominations  around 
us,  through  discipline,  social  advance,  and  voluntary  assimi- 
lation.'" 

Should  the  Bishop's  valuable  suggestion  be  carried  into 
effect,  there  would  be  essential  unity  in  connection  with 
liberty.  In  one  organic  fold  those  who  desire  the  adminis- 
tration of  baptism  by  "  immersion  "  could  be  immersed  in 
accordance  with  the  first  specification  in  our  baptismal 
rubric.  In  the  same  fold  Presbyterians  could  have  most 
to  do  with  Presbyters,  seeing  that  Episcopal  visitations 
resemble  "  angels'  visits."  In  the  same  fold  the  Methodists 
would  not  be  annoyed  by  allusions  to  the  youthfulness  of 
their  present  Episcopate,  and  in  the  same  fold  Congrega- 
tionalists  would  find  relief  from  a  form  of  government,  in 
its  essential  features,  not  carried  out  in  practice.  If  all 
the  elements  were  in  the  fold  for  which  the  fold  was  pro- 
vided, the  Baptists  would  inspire  us  with  zeal  to  act  out 
cur  principles  ;  the  Congregationalists  would  look  after 
the  rights  of  the  laity  ;  the  Methodists  would  incite  our 
zeal  and  inflame  our  devotion  ;  the  Presbyterians  would 
regulate  our  zeal,  inspire  us  with  love  for  a  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord,"  and  make  us  respect  our  Church  Creed  and 
Catechism. 

Christendom,  in  antagonistic  fragments,  is  not  in  accord- 
ance with  the  great  Shepherd's  plan.  For  the  unity  of  all 
believers  He  offered  fervent  prayer.  The  longer  Church- 
lio-ht  is  withheld,  the  more  Christians  will  divide  and  sub- 
divide.     If  Luther,  and  Calvin,  and  Knox,  and  Brown,  and 


WORK  IN    THE    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  97 

Roger  Williams,  and  others,  had  a  right  to  make  dis- 
united churches,  and  label  each  with  their  own  or  modern 
names,  others  have  the  right  to  follow  their  example.  But 
as  a  broken  church-polity  is  the  essential  disunion,  may 
all  believers  soon  unite  in  one  fold  under  one  Divine 
Shepherd,  acknowledging  "  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one 
baptism."  Were  all  Christians  in  one  fold,  their  combined 
knowledge,  and  zeal,  and  devotion  would  make  the  visible 
Church  a  mighty  bulwark  against  the  various  forms  of  in- 
fidelity and  error.  And  all  true  believers  could  then  join 
in  the  ancient  Creed,  "  I  believe  in  one  Catholic  and  Apos- 
tolic Church." 

THE    EDITOR'S    FAREWELL. 

This  number  of  the  Guide  will  be  the  last  that  will 
be  issued  by  the  present  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Parish.  The 
editor  rejoices  that  he  has  been  able  to  thus  far  publish  it, 
and  trusts  that  his  successor  may  issue  a  Guide  that 
will  be  far  more  acceptable,  and  accomplish  greater  good. 
A  parish  having  three  Mission  Sunday-schools,  but  no  as- 
sistant minister,  certainly  needs  a  parish  press  organ  with 
a  loud  trumpet  stop  as  well  as  a  sweet  dulciana,  that  the 
sound  may  be  heard  beyond  the  parish  church. 

The  special  sermons  preached  during  the  seasons  of  Ad- 
vent and  Lent,  the  series  to  young  men,  the  series  on 
Christ  and  the  Church,  in  connection  with  the  regular  Sun- 
day services,  with  other  parochial  duties,  have  really  taxed 
the  strength  of  one  man  heavily.  And  as  the  Gospel  is  a 
treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  vessel  may  not  break, 
the  editor  of  the  Guide  has  resolved  to  breathe  the 
bracing  air  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  After  spending  a  few 
months  abroad,  he  intends  to  again  obey  Jehovah's  man- 
date :  "  Preach  the  preaching  that  I  bid  thee,"  and  to  cry 
aloud,  and  spare  not,  lift  up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


show  the  people  their  transgression,  and  the  house  of  Jacob 
their  sins  (Isa.  58  :  1). 

The  retiring  Rector  appreciates  the  kindness  of  the 
Vestry  of  St.  Paul's  Church  in  so  urgently  requesting  him 
to  withdraw  his  resignation.  He  also  feels  obliged  for  the 
resolutions  passed,  when  they  finally  accepted  his  resigna- 
tion because  he  could  not  comply  with  their  request.  As 
the  sheep  need  a  shepherd,  he  earnestly  desires  that  an- 
other Rector  may  be  called  immediately,  and  that  all  may 
welcome  him,  singing  : 

"  Come  as  a  shepherd  :  guard  and  keep 
This  fold  from  Satan  and  from  sin  ; 
Nourish  the  lambs,  and  feed  the  sheep  ; 
The  wounded  heal,  the  lost  bring  in. 

"  Come  as  a  teacher  sent  from  God, 

Charged  His  whole  counsel  to  declare  ; 
Lift  o'er  our  heads  the  prophet's  rod, 

While  we  uphold  thy  hands  with  prayer." 

11  Come  as  a  messenger  of  peace, 

Filled  with  the  Spirit,  fired  with  love  ; 
Live  to  behold  our  large  increase, 
And  die  to  meet  us  all  above." 

And  now,  brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the 
word  of  His  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to 
give  you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  which  are  sancti- 
fied. May  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understand- 
ing, keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the  knowledge  and  love 
of  God,  and  of  His  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ;  and  the 
blessing  of  God  Almighty,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the 
Holy  Ghost  be  among  you  and  remain  with  you  always. 
Farewell — farewell  ! 


WORK  IN    THE   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 


99 


OUR  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 


OFFICERS    AND     TEACHERS. 


REV.  J.  W.  BONHAM,  Rector. 


ST.    PAUL'S    SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 

Superintendent, Alexander  G.  Tyng. 

Librarian, James  Thurlow. 

Assistant  Librarian, A.  G.  Tyng,  Jr. 

Treasurer, J.  Thurlow. 

Organist, Mrs.  Brotherson. 

Chorister, C.  F.  Bacon. 

TEACHERS. 

Charles  rf  Bacon.  Miss  M.  Bestor. 

Mrs.  A.  G.  Tyng.  Miss  P.  Bestor. 

Miss  M.  L.  Kuhn.  Miss  J.  Rouse. 

Miss  E.  Mayo.  Miss  J.  Cockie. 

Mrs.  Brotherson.  Miss  E.  Woodward. 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Bonham. 


ST.  PAUL'S  MISSION  SUNDAY-SCHOOL. 
Superintendent, Alexander  G.  Tyng. 

Librarian, A.  G.  Tyng,  Jr. 

Teacher  of  Infant  Class, Miss  F.  Woodward. 


TEACHERS. 


M.  Griswold. 

C.  F.  Bacon. 

H.  W.  McClellan. 

H.  McKenzie. 

Mr.  Green. 

C.  B.  Allaire. 

P.  R.  K.  Brotherson. 

Charles  J.  Off. 

Mr.  Gardner. 

Mrs.  F.  B.  M.  Brotherson. 

Miss  Jennie  Hannay. 


Miss  Mary  Chadwick. 
Mrs.  A.  G.  Tyng. 
Miss  .Mary  Wright. 
Miss  C.  McKenzie. 
Mrs.  L.  Brotherson. 
Miss  Jessie  Hannay. 
Mrs.  C.  B.  Allaire. 
Mrs.  C.  B.  Tamplin. 
Miss  Garlinghouse. 
Miss  E.  Woodward. 
Miss  J.  Henderson. 


ST.  PAUL'S  MISSION  SUNDAY-SCHOOL,  at  Wesley  City,  is  in  charge   of  Mi 
J.  SCANDRETT. 


ST.    PAUL'S    VINEYARD    MISSION    SUNDAY-SCHOOL,  Mossville  Road,  is 
ider  charge  of  Mr.  H.  W.  LEE. 


100  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE    EDITOR  S    FAREWELL    TO    THE    CHILDREN. 

The  tie  that  now  binds  rhe  pastor  to  the  lambs  of  his  flock 
will  very  soon  be  severed.  He  has  prepared  for  you  his 
last  Sunday-school  lessons.  Soon  the  Atlantic  Ocean  wTill 
roll  between  us.  But  he  has  shed  too  many  tears  and  felt 
too  many  pangs  for  your  welfare  to  soon  forget  you.  When 
far,  far  away  he  will  lift  up  his  heart  in  prayer — "  O  Lord, 
graciously  grant  that  the  children  of  St.  Paul's  Sunday- 
schools  may  be  made  partakers  of  the  death  of  thy  Son, 
and  also  of  His  resurrection  ;  so  that  finally,  with  the  resi- 
due of  thy  holy  Church,  they  may  be  inheritors  of  thine 
everlasting  kingdom,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  As 
your  retiring  pastor  will  not  forget  you,  do  not  forget  him. 
He  has  not  done  for  you  all  that  his  heart  desired,  but  he 
has  done  all  that  his  strength  permitted.  Remember  that 
the  Lord's  ministers  are  under  the  Lord's  control.  He 
calls  away  one,  but  in  His  goodness  sends  another.  May 
He  send  you  a  pastor  who  maybe  able  to  do  much  for  your 
spiritual  welfare. 

Value,  dear  children,  the  privileges  of  the  Sunday-school, 
and  remember  your  Creator  in  the  days  of  your  youth. 
And  as  you  assemble,  not  to  be  amused,  but  to  be  in- 
structed in  things  divine,  set  a  high  value  on  God's  Holy 
Word.  Commit  as  much  as  possible  to  memory.  Pas- 
sages that  you  do  not  understand  now  may  become  lumi- 
nous hereafter.  As  God's  Word  reveals  His  great  love  for 
you,  sets  forth  the  atonement  for  your  sins  made  by  Christ 
on  Calvary,  pray,  "  O  Lord,  open  Thou  mine  eyes  that  I 
may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  Thy  law."  Study  the 
holy  gospels  until  you  become  familiar  with  the  works  and 
words  of  Jesus.  If  you  believe  the  grand  facts  of  the  Gos- 
pel, and  obey  its  holy  precepts,  you  will  escape  its  fear- 
ful threatenings,  and  inherit  its  glorious  promises. 


1V0RH  IN    THE  EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  101 

To  the  superintendents,  and  teachers,  and  scholars  of  St. 
Paul's  Sunday-schools,  the  editor  now  says  "  Farewell." 
May  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  bless  you,  and  keep 
you,  and  cause  the  light  of  His  countenance  to  shine  upon 
you,  and  give  you  peace.  And  as  the  hope  of  again  meet- 
ing takes  the  sting  from  "Adieu,"  may  we  each  finally 
meet  around  the  Saviour's  throne,  and  receive  the  crown  of 
life  which  fadeth  not  away. 

THE    BELIEVERS'    REUNION. 

11  Where  no  shadow  shall  bewilder, 
Where  life's  vain  parade  is  o'er, 
Where  the  sleep  of  sin  is  broken, 

And  the  dreamer  dreams  no  more, 
Where  love's  bond  is  never  severed, 

Partings,  claspings,  sob,  and  moan, 
Midnight  waking,  twilight  watching, 

Heavy  noontide — all  are  done  ; 
Where  the  child  has  found  its  mother, 

Where  the  father  meets  the  child, 
Where  dear  families  are  gathered 

That  were  scattered  o'er  the  wild  ; 
Where  we  find  the  joy  of  loving 

As  we  never  loved  before — 
Loving  on,  unchilled,  unhindered, 
Loving  once  and  evermore — 

Brother,  we  shall  meet  and  rest 
With  the  holy  and  the  blest." 

The  Rev,  Dr.  Bonar. 


PART   II. 


PREFATORY   NOTES. 

To  the  Very  Rev.  Dr.  Church  and  Canon  Gregory,  of  St. 
Paul's  Cathedral,  London  ;  the  Rev.  Rather  Benson,  Head  of  the 
House  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Cowley.,  Oxford,  and  the  other 
Clergy  who  afforded  an  American  Missioner  facilities  to  study 
the  different  phases  of  parochial  missions  in  the  Church  of 
England,  the  author  is  sincerely  grateful'  At  retreats  he 
saw  clergymen  of  great  distinction  kneeling  with  brethren 
comparatively  unknown,  and  in  unison  confessing  their 
shortcomings  to  Almighty  God  and  imploring  His  forgive- 
ness. From  the  valley  of  humiliation,  clothed  with  humil- 
ity, they  marched  to  the  battlements  of  Zion,  praying  that 
God  would  baptize  them  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  greatly 
revive  the  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  of  England. 

The  clergy  no  longer  resemble  young  recruits  on  drill, 
admiring  their  uniform  and  graceful  genuflections.  In- 
stead of  boasting  of  "  the  fine  needlework  upon  their 
altars,"  the  "  long  cassocks,  short  surplices,"  and  "  brill- 
iant hoods  of  the  officiating  clergy,"  and  the  "chasuble 
tri-colored  stole,"  and  "  the  Eastern  position  of  the  cele- 
brant at  the  Holy  Communion" — with  no  objection  to 
gorgeous  regalia  at  the  Church's  high  festivals,  for  God 
is  worthy  to  be  honored  by  the  most  costly  fabrics,  the 
brightest  colors,  the  richest  music,  the  most  cultivated 
voices,  and  the  highest  degree  of  reverence — in  view  of 
Zion's    desolations,   and    her    Satanic    foes    marshalled    in 


PREFA  TOR  Y  NOTES.  L03 


battle  array  to  utterly  destroy  her,  desirous  that  God 
may  have  all  the  glory  for  every  victory,  the  clergy,  in  a 
spirit  of  humility,  now  devoutly  pray  : 

"  Oh,  to  be  nothing,  nothing,  only  to  lie  at  His  feet, 

A  broken  and  emptied  vessel  for  the  Master's  use  made  meet, 

Emptied,  that  He  might  fill  me  as  forth  to  His  service  I  go, 

Broken,  that  so  unhindered,  His  life  through  me  might  flow. 

Oh,  to  be  nothing,  nothing,  only  as  led  by  His  hand  ; 

A  messenger  at  His  gateway,  only  waiting  for  His  command. 

Only  an  instrument  ready  His  praises  to  sound  at  His  will, 

Willing,  should  He  not  require  me,  in  silence  to  wait  on  Him  still. 

Oh,  to  be  nothing,  nothing,  painful  the  humbling  may  be, 

Yet  low  in  the  dust  I'd  lay  me,  that  the  world  might  my  Saviour  see. 

Rather  be  nothing,  nothing,  to  Him  let  their  voices  be  raised  ; 

He  is  the  Fountain  of  blessing,  He  only  is  meet  to  be  praised." 

The  clergy  are  zealous  and  enthusiastic,  but  unholy  am- 
bition has  departed.  One  servant  of  the  Master  does  not 
elevate  himself  upon  his  less  gifted  brother.  The  com- 
mand is  obeyed,  "  Let  each  esteem  others  as  better  than 
himself."  They  are  soldiers  of  the  same  militant  army, 
fighting  for  the  King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords,  "  who, 
when  He  ascended  up  on  high,  led  captivity  captive  and 
gave  gifts  unto  men.  .  .  .  and  He  gave  some,  apostles,  and 
some,  evangelists,  and  some, pastors  and  teachers  ;  for  the  per- 
fecting of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  the 
edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ  ;  till  we  all  come  in  the 
unity  of  the  faith,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God, 
unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the 
fulness  of  Christ./'  None  has  any  ground  for  boasting, 
for  the  grace  that  each  possesses  was  given  according  to  the 
measure  of  Christ. 

Just  so  soon  as  Christ's  militant  soldiers  could  say,  u  When  I 
am  weak,  then  I  am  strong,"  and  they  obeyed  the  command, 
"  Forward,"  their  efforts  to  atone  for  past  indifference 
caused  exultation   throughout  Christendom  ;  and  through 


104  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  impetus  of  parochial  missions,  with  the  "  sword  of  the 
Spirit  "  withdrawn  from  the  scabbard  of  "  man  fear"  and 
of  worldliness,  they  are  gaining  glorious  conquests  in  the 
name  of  Immanuel.  The  Anglican  Church,  by  reason  of 
its  past  "  negligences  and  ignorances,"  is  now  "  humble 
as  a  little  child,"  but  bold  as  a  lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  ; 
and  with  God's  Omniscience  ever  watching,  His  Wisdom  al- 
ways guiding,  His  Omnipresence  at  all  times  comforting, 
and  His  Omnipotence  ever  protecting,  arrayed  in  "  the  whole 
armor  of  God,  His  Church  is  now  able  to  quench  all  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  devil,  and  to  stand  in  the  evil  day." 
The  author's  outline  sketches  future  historians  may  trans- 
fer to  a  larger  canvas,  and  in  grander  groupings,  and 
brighter  colors,  and  longer  perspective  point  Xo  Christ's 
militant  hosts  gaining  still  greater  victories,  and  on  their 
banner  of  holy  deeds  inscribe  :  "  The  Church  of  England  the 
most  living  Church  in  Christendom." 

"  Strong  in  the  Lord  of  Hosts 
And  in  His  mighty  power, 
Who  in  the  strength  of  Jesus  trusts 
Is  more  than  conqueror." 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS  J.V  AMERICA.  L06 


CHAPTER    I. 

HISTORIC    SKETCH    OF    PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS    IN    AMERICA. 

Decisions  of  Several  General  Conventions — Bishop  Huntington 
not  Afraid  of  Revivals — Convocation  at  Christ  Church,  Owega 
— An  Evangelist  Appointed — He  is  Cordially  Greeted  by  the 
Clergy. 

During  the  last  quarter  of  the  century  a  number  of 
bishops  and  clergy  of  the  Episcopal  Church  have  desired 
the  appointment  of  an  order  of  evangelists  to  itinerate 
among  the  "  feeble  parishes,"  and  also  visit  places  to 
"preach  concerning  Christ  and  the  Church"  where  our 
Church  has  not  sounded  a  note  of  Gospel  invitation  or  of 
warning.  Through  undue  caution  the  final  decision  has 
been  deferred  from  one  general  convention  to  another,  and 
a  committee  appointed  to  "  report  to  the  next  general  con- 
vention ;"  no  canon  authorizing  the  appointment  of  "an 
order  of  evangelists"  has  yet  been  adopted. 

Independent  of  the  action  of  the  general  convention,  a 
bishop  has  the  power  to  appoint  clergymen  to  do  what- 
ever kind  of  Church  work  may  promote  the  welfare  of  his 
diocese.  Deeply  impressed  by  the  fact  that  a  branch  of 
Christ's  Catholic  Church  should  strive  to  benefit  "  all  sorts 
and  conditions  of  men"  in  all  places,  the  earnest  Bishop 
of  Central  New  York  resolved  to  use  his  episcopal  privi- 
lege and  appoint  an  evangelist  to  labor  in  his  diocese, 
instead  of  saying,  "  Revivals  burn  the  ground  all 
over,"  and   censuring  Christian  ministers  for  not  having 


106  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

'.'  well  done"  what  the  Church  had  entirely  "  left  un- 
done," he  wisely  said,  "  Not  a  word  shall  my  lips  utter 
in  disparagement  of  religious  revivals.  Till  there  is  more 
thought  for  things  unseen  in  those  uncounted  dwellings 
around  us  which  have  no  veneration,  no  prayer,  no  sacra- 
ment, no  Advent,  and  no  God,  we  can  ill  afford  to  despise 
any  honest  attempt  to  waken  the  dead  to  life."  The 
bishop  was  not  afraid  to  sow  some  evangelistic  Gospel  seed 
lest  some  of  it  might  be  trodden  down,  or  by  the  thorns 
of  worldly  care  be  choked,  or  through  lack  of  depth  of 
earth  perish.  He  was  not  afraid  of  a  ''revival"  lest  it 
should  be  followed  by  "  a  reaction  ;"  for  it  is  better  to  be 
alive  part  of  the  time  than  to  be  dead  all  the  time.  He 
did  not  conclude  that  it  would  be  wise  to  refuse  to  appoint 
a  diocesan  evangelist  because  some  denominational  evan- 
gelists are  too  enthusiastic. 

When  Chicago  was  in  flames  the  author,  who  had  been 
the  Rector  of  the  Bishops'  Church  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
and  later,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Peoria,  111.,  was  on 
his  way  to  New  York  to  cross  the  ocean  for  the  recovery 
of  his  health.  While  in  Liverpool  he  attended  a  parochial 
mission  held  in  St.  Margaret's  Church,  one  of  the  largest 
in  the  city.  That  all  classes  might  avail  themselves  of  the 
privileges  of  the  mission,  eight  different  services  at  conven- 
ient hours  were  held  daily.  The  missioner,  the  Rev. 
George  Body,  is  described  in  another  part  of  this  book. 
At  the  evening  services  the  large  church  was  crowded. 
His  sermons  had  been  carefully  prepared,  and  were  effec- 
tively delivered.     The  ironical  couplet  : 

"  The  hearer,  perplexed  'twixt  two  to  determine, 
Watch  and  pray,  said  the  text,  go  to  sleep  says  the  sermon," 

could  not  be  applied  to  Missioner  Body's  sermons.  One 
of- them  was  based  on  the  text,  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth  passeth 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS  IN  AMERICA.  107 

by."  The  eloquent  preacher  reproduced  the  scene  when 
the  words  were  uttered  ;  before  the  sermon  closed  many 
realized  that  the  Saviour  was  invisibly  but  really  present 
in  His  holy  temple.  The  Gospel  could  not  be  more  faith- 
fully preached,  nor  a  congregation  more  reverent.  To 
many  of  the  large  audience  it  was  doubtless  a  word  in 
season,  for  a  free,  and  full,  and  present  salvation  was 
earnestly  and  affectionately  offered  unto  all.  At  the  close 
of  the  sermon  the  choir  and  congregation  sang, 

"  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood, 
Drawn  from  Immanuel's  veins, 
And  sinners,  plunged  beneath  that  flood, 
Lose  all  their  guilty  stains." 

Each  verse  was  followed  by  the  chorus  often  sung  at 
American  camp-meetings  : 

"  I  do  believe,  I  will  believe, 
That  Jesus  died  for  me,"  etc. 

At  the  after-meetings  the  missioner,  in  his  black  cassock, 
walked  up  and  down  the  aisle,  and  gave  special  instruc- 
tion to  those  who  were  seeking  Christ  and  desired  to  be 
assured  of  His  grace  and  favor.  Before  the  mission  closed 
the  missioner  held  "a  crusade,"  special  services  "for 
men  only."  The  mission  was  greatly  blessed,  and  that 
revival  services  had  been  held  in  one  of  the  churches  of 
England  caused  great  surprise  in  all  directions.  This  was 
a  few  years  before  the  great  Prelent  Mission  in  London. 
The  author  was  deeply  impressed  respecting  the  value  of 
missions  as  a  parochial  auxiliary.  After  his  return  to 
America  he  declined  the  invitation  to  settle  as  Rector  of 
St.  Paul's  Church,  Hyde  Park,  Chicago,  and  also  in- 
vitations from  other  parishes,  and  resolved  by  God's  aid 
to  "do  the  work  of  an  evangelist." 

The  Rev.  C.  E.  Swope,  D.D.,  Associate  Rector  of  Trinity 


108  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Parish,  New  York,  recommended  him  to  Bishop  Huntington 
as  an  available  clergyman  to  work  asa  "  diocesan  evangel- 
ist." By  invitation  from  the  Bishop  he  visited  Syracuse, 
and  while  the  Bishop's  guest  for  a  few  happy  weeks  "  the 
best  modes  of  conducting  missions"  were  duly  considered. 

During  a  session  of  the  convocation  in  Christ  Church,  Owega, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  Rector,  Bishop  Huntington  set  forth 
the  desirableness  of  the  work  of  a  diocesan  evangelist.  He 
requested  the  clergy  to  ask  any  question  concerning  his 
duties  and  his  relations  to  the  rectors.  He  afterward 
asked  any  of  the  clergymen  present  who  were  willing  to 
aid  him  when  holding  a  mission  adjacent  to  their  parishes 
to  give  him  their  names.  One  clergyman,  who  had  prom- 
ised to  .assist  him  when  desired  to  do  so,  arose  a  second 
time,  and  said  :  "  Should  the  Evangelist  preach  a  sermon 
that  did  not  interest  the  people  they  would  not  attend 
more  of  the  services."  "  That  is  so,"  answered  the  Bishop, 
11  so  please  to  remember  this  when  you  preach  a  sermon  to 
aid  him  !"  The  Bishop's  pleasant  and  ready  answer  caused 
a  general  smile.  Another  author  asked  :  "  What  good 
will  it  do  should  the  Evangelist  hold  a  mission  in  a  place 
where  there  is  no  parish  nor  clergyman  to  follow  it  up  ?" 
The  Bishop  answered  :  "  The  Evangelist  cannot  preach  a 
single  sermon  in  a  new  place  which,  through  God's 
blessing,  will  not  at  some  time  bear  fruit,  though  the 
seed  sown  may  not  at  once  spring  up." 

Before  the  convocation  adjourned  the  Bishop  and  clergy 
proceeded  from  Christ  Church  chapel  to  the  church.  By 
a  special  select  service  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  who  knelt 
at  the  chancel  rail,  was  publicly  set  apart  by  the  Bishop  as 
his  diocesan  evangelist.  The  service  was  closed  by  appro- 
priate prayers  and  by  the  benediction  of  peace.  The  occa- 
sion was  one  of  great  solemnity,  and  the  service  very  im* 
pressive.     The  evangelist  received  cordial  greetings  from 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS  IN  AMERICA.  109 

the  clergy  of  the  convocation,  and  immediately  entered 
upon  his  evangelistic  duties.  The  bishop  afterward  said  : 
"  In  my  last  address  I  earnestly  asked  of  you  a  special 
provision  for  setting  such  an  agency  in  operation,  and 
gave  reasons  for  the  request.  On  the  spot,  and  soon  after, 
several  laymen,  whom  I  thank  with  all  my  heart,  offered  a 
liberal  encouragement.  In  all  that  they  have  given  and 
done  they  have  been  approved,  I  believe,  and  in  some  cases 
led  by  the  clergy.  At  the  autumn  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Missions  a  lay  committee,  with  one  member  from  each  dis- 
trict, was  appointed  to  collect  funds.  As  soon  as  a  suffi- 
cient amount  had  been  subscribed  to  warrant  it  I  appoint- 
ed an  evangelist  having  the  qualifications  that  were  to  be 
desired,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham.  He  entered  immediately 
on  the  service,  and  has  continued  in  it,  with  energy  and 
enthusiasm,  ever  since,  laboring  in  places  I  have  desig- 
nated." 


110  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE    EVANGELIST    COMMENCES    HIS    IMPORTANT    WORK. 

Mission  at  Evans  Mills — At  De  Ruyter — At  Phoenix — A  Church 
Service  in  the  Baptist  Church — Resolutions  of  the  Vestry  to  the 
Minister  and  Deacons — Mission  in  Calvary  Church,  Homer — 
Mission  near  Syracuse — A  Closed  Methodist  Revival  Re- 
commenced — A  Hearty  Methodist  Brother. 

The  diocesan  evangelist  in  Central  New  York  held  his 
first  mission  at  Evans  Mills  ;  as  there  was  no  Episcopal 
church,  the  services  were  held  in  a  hall.  To  be  at  one 
of  the  services  when  Bishop  Huntington  was  present, 
the  Rev.  L.  H.  Brewer,  the  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church, 
Watertown,  secured  a  special  car,  and  accompanied  his 
choir  and  some  of  his  parishioners  to  Evans  Mills.  Their 
presence  increased  the  fervor  of  the  services.  The  hearty 
singing  and  the  audible  responses  incited  one  person  to  re- 
mark :  "  I  did  not  know  that  it  was  possible  to  have  such  a 
fervent  liturgical  service  !"  But  one  lady  to  whom  a 
prayer-book  was  offered  declined  to  take  it,  saying  :  "/ 
can  pray  without  a  book  /' '  Yet  she  sang  praise  to  God  from 
hymns  printed  in  the  "  Hymnal"  some  of  which  were  metrical 
prayers.  The  Rev.  L.  H.  Brewer  became  deeply  inter- 
ested in  missions.  On  different  occasions  he  rendered  the 
missioner  efficient  assistance.  In  a  letter  to  the  Bishop  he 
inquired  :  "  Have  we  not  taken  several  years  to  intro- 
duce our  Church  into  new  places  by  occasional  services, 
when  a  deeper  impression  may  be  made  by  concentrated 


THE   EVANGELIST  COMMENCES  HIS  WORK.        Ill 

services  for  a  few  weeks  ?"  He  is  now  the  earnest  Mission- 
ary Bishop  of  Montana. 

At  Phanix  the  mission  was  held  in  the  room  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  Nightly  all  the  seats 
were  occupied  and  the  people  attentive.  At  the  close  of 
one  of  the  services  "Elder  Crowe//,"  the  Baptist  minister, 
said  :  "  This  hall  will  not  hold  the  people  on  Sunday  ;  you 
can  have  the  free  use  of  our  church."  The  Evangelist 
answered  :  "  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  offer  ;  but  we  pre- 
fer to  hold  the  service  in  the  place  we  have  rented,  that 
our  services  may  be  churchly,  and  no  one  take  offence." 
At  the  close  of  the  service  the  next  evening  the  Evangelist 
said  :  "  Elder  Crowell,  my  reply  last  night  was  not  the 
most  gracious.  If  you  are  willing  that  we  use  your 
church,  have  our  full  evening  service  therein,  and  that  I 
preach  a  sermon  on  Apostolic  Succession,  your  kind  offer 
will  be  gladly  accepted."  The  Evangelist  thought  he 
would  surely  reconsider  his  offer  ;  but  he  answered  :  "All 
right  ;  you  may  have  the  freedom  you  desire.  I  will  give 
public  notice  of  the  subject  you  have  mentioned."  During 
the  days  that  intervened  the  Evangelist  had  to  work  with 
all  his  might  to  have  the  discourse  ready  for  delivery  ;  for 
he  had  not  intended  to  preach  on  this  subject  in  Phoenix. 
After  the  notice  had  been  given  one  clergyman  warned 
his  people  not  to  attend  the  service. 

The  weather  on  Sunday  evening  was  very  unfavorable, 
but  all  the  pews,  the  seats  placed  in  the  aisle,  and  the 
chairs  in  front  of  the  rows  of  pews,  were  all  occupied.  In 
the  responses,  chants  and  hymns  the  large  congregation 
fervently  united.  The  discourse  (a)  showed  that  from  the 
time  of  the  Apostles  until  the  fifteenth  century  the  Church 
of  Christ  had  been  governed  by  bishops  ;  {b)  during  that 
century  there  was  a  schism,  and  Christians  were  called 
after  the  names  of  their  leaders, «for  there  were  no  "  Lu- 


112  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

therans"  before  Luther  was  born,  no  "  Presbyterians"  be- 
fore the  birth  of  John  Knox,  who  had  been  ordained  a 
priest  by  the  Romish  Cardinal  Beaton  ;  and  no  "  Congrega- 
tionalists"  before  the  days  of  Mr.  Brown  and  his  friends, 
who  did  not  love  a  church  with  "  bishops,  priests  and 
deacons;"  (e)  from  the  days  of  the  Apostles  there  has 
never  been  a  time  when  there  were  no  living  bishops  ;  and 
that  in  our  own  day  the  largest  part  of  Christendom  is 
under  episcopal  government. 

To  prove  that  for  eighteen  centuries  there  had  been  no 
break  in  the  episcopal  form  of  polity,  though  some  Chris- 
tians had  seceded  from  it  ;  not  to  have  his  statements  called 
"  Episcopal  postulates  ;"  he  quoted  extracts  from  Gibbon 
the  historian  and  from  eminent  divines  who  are  not  in  our 
Church,  have  no  "  pews  to  rent,"  and  therefore  give  disin- 
terested testimony.  The  Evangelist's  discourse  was  "  over 
thirty  minutes,"  or  it  would  have  done  no  good  to  those 
who  disbelieve  assertion  in  the  absence  of  evidence.  The 
closing  part  of  the  discourse  set  forth  that  if  Methodists 
were  in  the  Episcopal  Church  responses  would  be  audible  ; 
if  the  Presbyterians ,  also,  they  could  equalize  or  regulate 
Methodistic  fervor  ;  the  Baptists,  inside  the  Episcopal 
Church,  could  request  the  clergyman  to  "  discreetly  dip ' '  a 
child  or  an  adult,  in  accordance  with  the  first  clause  of  "  the 
rubric  concerni?ig  baptism ;"  that  Congregationalists  could 
use  their  influence  to  restrain  bishops  who  desire  to  be 
"  lords  over  God's  heritage,"  but  who  may  not  be  feared 
because  their  times  of  visitations  to  parishes  resemble 
angelic  visits  ;  and  if  all  were  united,  what  a  volume  of 
harmony  would  ascend  to  heaven  from  the  grand  Te  Deum, 

"  We  praise  Thee,  O  God,  we  acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord. 
All  the  earth  doth  worship  Thee,  the  Father  everlasting." 

The  people  were  very  attentive  and  appreciated  the  ser- 
vices. 


THE   EVANGELIST  COMMENCES  HIS  WORK.        113 


Early  in  the  week  the  vestry  met  and  passed  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolutions  : 

Whereas,  Many  Christians  are  pained  on  account  of  the 
divided  state  of  Christ's  flock,  and  desire  that  His  prayer 
that  all  believers  may  be  "  one  "  may  soon  be  answered,  and 
believe  that  union  will  be  facilitated  by  the  adoption  of 
Evangelical  Church  doctrine  and  Primitive  Church  polity, 
as  summarized  in  the  Apostles'  Creed,  and  held  by  a  branch 
of  Christ's  organic  universal  Church,  which  has  existed 
from  the  time  of  the  holy  Apostles  ; 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  of 
Emmanuel  Church,  Phoenix,  record  their  appreciation  of 
the  magnanimity  of  Elder  Crowell  in  placing  the  Baptist 
house  of  worship  at  our  disposal  to  facilitate  true  Church 
unity,  by  enabling  our  Church  evangelist,  the  Rev.  J.  W. 
Bonham,  to  set  forth  the  perpetuation  of  Christ's  organic 
Church,  with  the  appointed  ministry  and  sacraments,  from 
the  Apostolic  age  until  the  present  time,  as  shown  by  his- 
torians. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  preamble  and  resolu- 
tions be  forwarded  to  the  pastor  and  deacons  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  Phoenix,  and  that  the  same  be  printed  in  the  next 
issue  of  the  Phoenix  Register. 

Signed  the  seventeenth  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-three. 
J.   W.   Bonham,  Evangelist, 
E.  C.  Fitzgerald, 
W.  H.  Rice, 

Wardens  of  lynmanuel  Church. 

W.  H.  Rice, 

Secretary  of  Vestry. 

The  Episcopalians  in  Phoenix  had  no  church  nor  rector, 
and  held  Sunday-school  and  other  services  in  the  room  of 


114  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  Soon  after  the 
mission  Bishop  Huntington  visited  Phoenix  to  conduct  a 
special  service,  The  largest  hall  in  the  place,  which  had 
been  secured  for  the  occasion,  was  filled  with  a  deeply  at- 
tentive and  interested  audience.  The  bishop  afterward 
asked  :  "  Under  the  usual  method  of  church  work,  how 
long  would  it  take  to  create  the  interest  in  favor  of  our 
Church  that  the  mission  has  awakened  ?" 

A  Methodist  who  had  read  the  notice  of  a  mission  to  be 
held  in  Calvary  Church,  Homer,  said  to  one  of  the 
wardens  :  "  So  you  are  having  a  missionary  meeting  at 
your  church."  The  warden  answered  :  "  The  mission  is  a 
series  of  evangelistic  services  to  promote  growth  in  grace 
in  Christians,  and  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Christless. " 
The  Methodist,  with  a  look  and  tone  of  great  astonish- 
ment, exclaimed  :  "  My  soul  !  the  'piscopals  holding  pro- 
tracted meetings  !"  When  the  mission  was  commenced 
the  other  churches  were  at  once  opened  for  special  services. 
The  different  bells  sounding  at  the  same  time  were  not  a 
harmonious  chime  or  peal,  yet  each  practically  said  : 
"  Come  to  the  church  in  whose  tower  I  am  suspended." 
Grace  Church  is  in  a  fine  location  ;  but,  through  minis- 
terial changes  and  irregular  services  when  without  a  rec- 
tor, the  parish  had  weakened  its  influence  and  usefulness. 
At  the  close  of  another  series  of  special  services  one  of  the 
'  wardens  said  to  the  Evangelist  :  "  We  do  not  wish  to  flat- 
ter you,  but  if  you  will  give  up  your  position  as  diocesan 
missioner,  and  become  our  rector,  we  will  raise  for  you 
$600  as  your  yearly  salary  !"  He  records  with  great 
pleasure  that  the  people  of  Grace  Church  did  all  in  their 
power  to  promote  his  comfort  during  the  mission,  and  at 
subsequent  visits. 

At  a  place  not  far   distant  from    Syracuse   notices    were 


THE   EVANGELIST   COMMENCES  HIS   WORK.        116 

circulated  that  a  mission  would  be  held  in  the  Episcopal 
Church.  The  name  is  withheld  for  the  following  reason  : 
The  Methodists  had  held  revival  services  for  several 
weeks.  Notice  was  given  that  the  last  meeting  would  be 
held  on  Saturday  evening,  and  the  church  closed  on 
Sunday,  that  the  people  might  attend  union  services  in  a 
church  in  another  place.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  "  a  mis- 
sion was  to  be  commenced  in  the  Episcopal  Church,"  some 
concluded  that  the  revival  services  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  must  be  recommenced.  The  person  who  had 
entertained  the  Evangelist  objected,  saying  :  "  I  have 
boarded  him  for  several  weeks,  and  can  do  so  no  longer." 
Another  replied:  "  That  Church  Evangelist  is  coming  here 
to  hold  a  mission,  and  our  Evangelist  must  recommence 
the  revival  services  in  our  church,  if  I  have  to  pay  his 
board  bill."  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  opened 
on  Sunday,  and  revival  services  were  held  on  successive 
week  days.  But  this  did  not  interfere  with  the  mission  in 
the  Episcopal  Church,  for  the  services  were  well  attended. 
Methodists  who  were  present  heartily  said,  "Amen," 
not  in  the  middle,  but  at  the  close  of  each  prayer.  At  a 
service  when  the  sermon  set  forth  the  historical  continuity 
of  Christ's  appointed  ministers  one  of  the  Methodist 
preachers  was  present  to  "  take  notes,  that  he  may  review 
the  discourse,"  but  he  did  not  review  it.  The  missioner 
afterward  met  him,  and  they  spent  nearly  two  hours  in 
friendly  Church  discussion.  He  is  a  warm-hearted  brother, 
and  were  it  not  for  the  long  probation,  to  give  those  who 
desire  to  enter  our  ministry  an  opportunity  to  "  keep 
cool,"  or  "  cool  off,"  or  not  to  act  "  hurriedly/'  he  would 
probably  consider  it  a  great  privilege  to  be  a  minister  in 
the  Church  that  Wesley  labored  to  revive,  until  he  obeyed 
the  celestial  mandate, 


116  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

"  Spirit,  leave  thy  home  of  clay  ! 

Ling'ring  dust,  resign  thy  breath  ! 
Spirit,  cast  thy  chains  away  ! 

Dust,  be  thou  dissolved  in  death  ! 

"  Thus  the  mighty  Saviour  speaks 
When  the  faithful  Christian  dies  ; 
Thus  the  bonds  of  life  He  breaks, 
And  the  ransomed  captive  flies." 

Wesley  once  said  :  "  The  true  Methodist  is  a  true  church- 
man ;"  and  some  admirer  of  Wesley  recently  said  :  "  If 
John  Wesley  can  look  down  and  see  the  successful  revival 
work  spreading  through  the  Church  of  England,  and 
reaching  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America,  how  greatly 
he  must  rejoice."  At  the  place  referred  to,  an  aged  man 
who  had  attended  the  Episcopal  Church  for  many  years 
testified  at  a  Methodist  service  that  he  had  been  converted 
at  their  revival.  Because  he  afterward  came  to  the  mis- 
sion he  was  asked  :  "  Do  you  think  it  is  wise  to  again  at- 
tend church  services  ?"  He  answered  :  "  I  do  ;  for  my  soul 
has  there  also  received  a  blessing."  His  grown  children 
belonged  to  our  Church,  and  his*"  testimony"  that  God 
had  blessed  him  at  the  mission  was  as  valid  as  his  "  testi- 
mony" respecting  his  conversion  at  the  Methodist  revival. 


A   CLOSED  CHURCH  IN  LOWVILLE  REOPENED.      117 


CHAPTER    III. 

A    CLOSED    CHURCH    IN    LOWVILLE    REOPENED. 

Mission  in  Trinity  Church,  Lowville — Difficulties  Forgotten — 
The  New  Rector —  The  Bishop  Appoints  an  Assistant — Large 
Congregations — Mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Evangelists,  Os- 
wego—  The  Doxology  After  Sermons — Inappropriate  Hymns 
— Changed  Mode  of  Convocation  Services. 

The  Lowville  Journal  contained  the  following  summary 
of  the  ten  days'  mission  in  Trinity  Church  :  "  The  Rev. 
J.  W.  Bonham,  Evangelist  of  the  diocese  of  Central  New 
York,  concluded  on  Wednesday  evening  the  mission  he 
has  been  holding  in  Trinity  Church,  Lowville.  These 
services  were  peculiarly  welcome  to  a  congregation  de- 
prived for  some  months  past  of  church  privileges.  During 
the  ten  days  Mr.  Bonham  remained  in  this  parish  the  at- 
tendance every  evening  was  very  gratifying,  notwithstand- 
ing numerous  distractions  then  occurring  in  the  town. 
And  while  all  who  listened  to  his  sermons  were  deeply  im- 
pressed by  his  power  of  thought,  his  faith  in  the  promises 
of  God's  all-prevailing  care  and  love,  and  his  eloquent  ap- 
peals for  the  highest  interests  of  the  soul,  he  led  the  judg- 
ment captive  by  his  research  and  sound  logic.  It  is  not  too 
much  to  hope  that  Christian  love  and  zeal  were  quickened 
in  each  heart  by  his  earnest  words.  With  full  appreciation 
of  his  ministrations  to  us,  we  bid  him  God-speed  in  the 
work  of  awakening  and  arousing  to  nobler  action  the  pow- 
ers too  often  lying  dormant  in  the  Church,  and  we  believe 


118  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

that  the  efficacy  of  missions  will  erelong  be  recognized, 
not  only  in  this  diocese,  but  in  others  as  well,  through  the 
faithful  labors  of  our  Evangelist." 

Trinity  Church  had  been  closed  for  nine  months,  through 
parochial  troubles.  The  mission  changed  the  current  of 
thought,  and  past  difficulties  were  forgotten.  The  clergy- 
man who  officiated  the  Sunday  after  the  mission  had  re- 
cently left  the  Methodists.  The  people  were  so  pleased 
with  his  earnestness  and  ability  that  they  at  once  invited 
him  to  become  their  rector.  Soon  after  his  acceptance 
the  congregation  became  larger  than  since  the  beautiful 
church  was  consecrated.  He  started  four  missions  in  ad- 
jacent places.  Bishop  Huntington  sent  him  a  deacon  to 
assist  him  in  his  zealous  labors. 

An  eight  days  mission  was  held  in  the  Church  of  the  Evan- 
gelists, Oswego.  The  successive  services  were  well  at- 
tended. At  the  closing  sermons  on  the  second  Sunday 
the  congregations  were  unusually  large.  The  rector,  ward- 
ens, vestrymen,  and  parishioners  were  gratified  that  the 
mission  had  been  appreciated  and  awakened  a  deep  re- 
ligious interest.  The  missioner  was  anxious  to  avoid 
neutralizations  at  the  mission  services  in  different  churches, 
and  that  an  appropriate  hymn  should  precede  and  follow 
each  sermon.  At  the  close  of  a  sermon  preached  in  the 
Church  of  the  Evangelists  on  "  The  Loss  of  the  Soul,"  the 
choir  arose  to  sing, 

"  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow," 

but  the  instant  the  last  note  of  the  organ  prelude  had 
ended  the  missioner  announced  an  appropriate  hymn,  and 
read  all  the  verses,  that  the  chorister  might  have  time  to  find 
a  tune.  When  the  last  line  of  a  hymn  was,  "  I  must  for- 
ever die  ;"  or  "  the  Judge  will  say,  '  I  know  thee  not  ;'  ' 
or,  "  Why  will  ye  forever  die  ?"   he  preferred  to  have  the 


A   CLOSED  CHURCH  IN  LOWVILLE  REOPENED.       11!) 


4<  Amen"  omitted.  A  rector  who  seldom  selected  the 
hymns  said  :  "  It  makes  no  difference  what  the  words  are, 
if  the  tune  is  pleasing."  He  was  told  that  a  minister  who 
was  to  preach  his  farewell  sermon  asked  the  chorister  to 
select  and  sing  an  appropriate  hymn  the  instant  he  closed 
it.     But  he  looked  amazed  when  the  choir  fervently  sang, 

"  How  did  our  hearts  rejoice 
To  see  the  curse  removed." 

An  inappropriate  hymn  after  a  sermon  diverts  the  mind 
and  weakens  the  impression.  A  short  time  ago,  in  a  church 
in  New  York  City,  the  hymn  before  the  sermon  was  : 

"Watchman,  tell  us  of  the  night, 
What  its  signs  of  promise  are  !" 

The  subject  of  the  sermon  was,  "  The  Devil  Man's  Malig- 
nant Adversary."     At  its  close  the  choir  and  people  sang  : 

"  Son  of  my  soul,  thou  Saviour  dear  !" 

To  sing  the  Doxology  after  some  sermons  is  as  inappro- 
priate as  it  would  be  to  sing  it  at  a  dear  friend's  funeral. 

In  order  to  make  a  convocation  profitable  to  the  people 
adjacent  to  the  church  in  which  it  was  held,  the  following 
change  was  made.  The  missioner  preached  the  sermon, 
after  which  the  holy  communion  was  celebrated.  The 
following  morning  the  convocational  business  was  duly 
transacted.  After  this  two  clergymen  went  together  to 
hold  special  services  in  a  church  or  hall  a  few  miles  dis- 
tant ;  two  went  to  a  place  in  another  direction,  and  two 
in  an  opposite  direction.  Others  remained  with  the  mis- 
sioner to  aid  him  at  the  special  services  in  the  church  in 
which  the  convocation  had  been  held.  The  Rev.  L.  H. 
Brewer  and  other  clergymen  were  much  gratified  by  this 
useful  change.  They  reached  their  homes  in  season  for 
their    regular  Sunday    duties,    more    fatigued    than    from 


120  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

former  convocations,  but  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing 
that  they  had  accomplished  more  for  "  Christ  and  the 
Church."  The  Secretary  of  the  First  Missionary  District 
of  the  Diocese  of  Central  New  York  sent  a  report  of  the 
change  to  the  New  York  Church  Journal : 

11  Jefferson  County  forms  the  extreme  northeast  corner 
of  the  Diocese  of  Central  New  York,  and  in  the  northeast 
angle  of  this  county  are  located  the  villages  of  Antwerp, 
Evans  Mills,  Theresa,  and  Redwood.  Theresa,  occupying 
a  central  position  among  them,  has  been  selected  as  the 
focus  of  an  associate  mission,  the  rector  of  St.  James's 
Church  in  this  village  being  placed  in  charge,  and  the 
Rev.  Hugh  Bailey  (Dean)  being  assigned  to  duty  as  his 
assistant. 

11  Within  their  field,  the  convocation  of  Jefferson  County 
determined  to  hold  a  series  of  special  missions  during  the 
last  two  weeks  in  September,  the  period  immediately  pre- 
ceding the  annual  visit  of  the  Bishop.  The  aid  of  the  dio- 
cesan evangelist,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  having  been 
secured,  the  services  of  the  mission  were  opened  in  St. 
James's  Church,  Theresa,  on  Monday  evening,  Septem- 
ber 22d.  There  were  present  the  Rev.  L.  R.  Brewer,  of 
Watertown,  President  of  the  convocation  ;  the  Rev.  D. 
E.  Willes,  of  Brownville  ;  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Ormsbee,  of 
Adams  ;  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Adams,  Rector  of  the  Church  of 
the  Evangelists,  in  the  city  of  Oswego  ;  and  the  Rev.  J. 
W.  Bonham,  Evangelist,  with  the  rector  and  his  assist- 
ant. In  the  place  of  a  sermon  the  Evangelist,  as  an  intro- 
duction to  the  work  of  the  mission,  gave  a  narrative,  full 
of  instruction  and  interest,  of  the  revival  of  spiritual  life 
in  recent  years  in  the  Church  of  England,  and  an  account 
of  parochial  missions  as  conducted  in  Great  Britain,  with 
some  of  their  remarkable  and  cheering  results.  The  presi- 
dent of  the  convocation  followed  with  a  few  words,  intro- 


'  OSED  CHURCH  IN  LOWVILLE  REOPENED.       121 


ducing.the  Rev.  Mr.  Adams,  of  Oswego,  in  whose  parish 
Mr.  Bonham  had  just  been  holding  a  mission  with  great 
success,  as  was  evident  from  the  encouraging  address  of 
Mr.  Adams.  The  services  having  been  closed  with  prayer 
and  benediction,  the  clergy  assembled  in  one  of  the  rooms 
of  the  rectory  school,  and  spent  an  hour  in  pleasant  con- 
verse. Next  morning  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Brewer  and  Orms- 
bee  departed  for  Antwerp,  to  conduct  the  mission  in  that 
place.  Mr.  Adams  also  took  his  leave,  and  Mr.  Bailey 
found  it  necessary  to  absent  himself  for  a  time.  The 
Evangelist  was  left  to  carry  on  the  mission  in  Theresa,  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Willes  and  the  rector  as  his  helpers. 

"  Notice  of  the  services  had  been  given  by  means  of 
printed  bills,  and  the  attendance,  good  from  the  first,  so 
increased  night  after  night  that  the  church  was  filled,  and 
sometimes  thronged,  with  attentive  and  deeply  interested 
hearers.  Mr.  Bonham  was  the  preacher  ;  his  sermons 
were  for  the  most  part  addressed  to  the  impenitent  and  the 
indifferent,  with  little  or  no  allusion  to  the  distinctive  sys- 
tem of  the  Church.  What  was  to  be  said  of  this  was  re- 
served for  the  last  evening — Friday,  October  3d.  The 
building  was  crammed,  and  for  an  hour  and  a  half  the 
Evangelist  held  the  attention  of  the  large  congregation 
with  a  presentation  of  the  argument  for  Church  unity  and 
an  apostolic  ministry.  The  following  evening  the  Evan- 
gelist was  absent,  and  in  his  place  appeared,  on  a  rainy  night 
but  in  a  full  church,  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese,  who 
preached  and  confirmed  a  class  of  nine.  Though  the  mis- 
sion had  probably  but  a  slight  influence  as  respects  the 
number  of  the  confirmed  (and  the  rector  would  not,  if  he 
could,  have  gathered  in  its  .fruits  thus  hastily),  yet  it  can- 
not be  but  that  results  of  solid  and  permanent  value  will 
follow  from  an  interest  so  manifest  and  yet  so  restrained. 
The  service  used  was  short,  but  selected  from  the  Prayer- 


122  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

: — , 

Book.  On  Wednesday  and  Friday  the  litany  alone  was 
said  ;  and  on  one  evening  the  baptismal  service,  without 
any  addition,  preceded  the  sermon.  The  Church  needs 
these  missions,  and  can  readily  so  control  them  as  to  make 
them  subservient  to  her  great  end  and  aim  ;  and  for  their 
full  success  they  need  careful  and  laborious  thought  con- 
cerning the  best  mode  of  reaching  men,  which  can  most 
readily  be  secured  by  means  of  an  evangelist,  who  gives 
his  whole  time  to  the  work. 

"  Yet  when  the  parochial  clergy  undertake  such  an  enter- 
prise they  need  not  fail,  as  is  made  evident  by  the  success 
which  attended  the  labors  of  Mr.  Brewer  and  Mr.  Orms. 
bee  at  Antwerp  during  the  last  two  weeks,  and,  for  the 
last,  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Drumm,  of  Clayton,  and  Perrine, 
of  Cape  Vincent,  who,  having  been  detained  at  home  in 
preparation  for  the  Bishop's  visit  to  their  parishes  on  Sep- 
tember 28th  and  29th,  began  a  mission  at  Redwood  on 
Monday  evening,  the  29th,  holding  their  last  service  on 
Friday  evening.  Attendance  was  very  good,  and  an  ad- 
mirable impression  was  produced.  Evans  Mills,  having 
been  the  scene  of  the  first  mission  after  the  Evangelist 
entered  upon  his  labors  last  winter,  was  omitted  from  the 
schedule  at  this  time.  Within  the  held  of  the  mission  the 
Bishop  has  since  confirmed  twenty  persons.  We  have  taken 
hold,  therefore,  both  of  the  associate  mission  and  of  the 
mission  in  the  sense  of  continued  special  services,  and  hope 
to  show  the  Church,  by  God's  blessing,  some  of  the  results 
which  both  are  supposed  to  be  calculated  to  produce." 

At  a  mission  not  many  miles  from  Utica  the  Rev.  Drs. 
Van  Deusen  and  Goodrich  attended  with  their  choirs,  and 
greatly  enriched  the  mission  music.  Xot  having  access  to 
his  "  packed  away"  record  of  the  missions  he  held  in  Can- 
ada Northwest,  and  in  other  places,  he  is  obliged  to  omit 
an  account   of   some   of  them,  and  also  dates.     Some  may 


A  CLOSED  CHURCH  IN  LOWVILLE  REOPENED.      12:5 


regret  the  omission  of  dates  ;  others  rejoice  that  no  more 
missions  are  described.  At  a  mission  at  Oneida,  Moravia, 
and  other  places,  at  the  commencement  of  the  services  but 
few  persons  were  present,  but  before  the  mission  closed 
extra  seats  were  all  occupied.  At  a  place  without  a  parish 
the  mission  was  held  in  a  hall.  During  one  of  the  several 
services  a  brass  band  were  practising  in  a  building  oppo- 
site, and  would  have  neutralized  an  appropriately  deliv- 
ered sermon  on  the  text,  "There  Remaineth  a  Rest." 
11  Evening  Prayer"  was  printed  on  four  pages.  After  the 
first  few  services  the  young  people  heartily  united  in  say- 
ing the  responses  and  in  singing  the  chants.  A  few  had 
to  pause  after  the  first  sentence  of  the  Gloria,  for  they 
knew  not  the  words  embraced  in  "  etc."  The  Methodist 
minister,  an  Englishman,  rejoiced  that  he  "  was  not  a 
learned  preacher.'"'  The  evangelist  in  a  sermon  said  : 
"  How  delightful  it  would  be  if  Methodists  would  return 
to  the  Church  in  which  Wesley  lived  and  died,  remove 
1  Methodist  Episcopal  '  from  the  names  over  their  church, 
substitute  '  Presbyterian  Episcopal,'  and  use  therein  the 
Church  of  England  Prayer-Book,  the  prayers  for  kings 
omitted,  which  Wesley  prepared  for  the  use  of  Methodists 
in  America."  Some  one  told  this  to  the  brother  referred 
to  ;  he  answered  :  "  Should  he  rise  from  the  dead,  and  see 
Methodist  ministers  in  a  church  vestment,  and  using 
printed  prayers,  what  would  he  think  of  us  ?"  The  Evan- 
gelist asked  a  Methodist  :  "  Did  you  ever  see  a  picture  of 
John  Wesley  without  his  gown  and  bands  ?"  He  answered, 
"  I  never  did  ;  and  will  look  at  a  picture  of  Wesley  hold- 
ing a  book  to  see  if  it  is  a  Prayer-Book  /" 

Missions  were  also  held  at  Pulaski,  Perryville,  North- 
ville,  Clayville,  Dryden,  Groton,  Clinton,  Canastota,  and 
Smithboro.  Lectures  were  delivered  at  convocations,  and 
special  sermons  preached  for  rectors.     Rectors  cheerfully 


124  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


aided  the  Evangelist  when  practicable.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Van 
Deusen,  of  Grace  Church,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Goodrich,  of 
Calvary  Church,  Utica,  accompanied  their  two  choirs  to  a 
mission  several  miles  distant.  Their  hearty  singing  of  the 
chants  and  hymns  added  greatly  to  the  interest  of  the 
services.  At  some  of  the  places  the  congregations  were 
small  at  the  mission's  first  services,  but  before  the  mission 
closed  extra  seats  were  provided,  and  all  occupied.  Some 
vestrymen  who  had  predicted  that  but  "  very  few  persons 
would  come  to  mission  services,''  were  gratified  that  their 
prophecy  was  not  fulfilled. 


EPISCOPAL   PARISH  IN  DE  RUYTER.  12J 


CHAPTER    IV. 

NO    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    IN    DE    RUYTER. 

Mission  in  the  Town  Hall — Services  in  the  Methodist  Church — 
Church  Services  Desired — Mission  at  I'ort  Byron — Presby- 
terian Church  Loaned  for  the  Services — Lecture  in  Masonic 
Hall — Mission  at  Ithaca — Mission  at  Oxford. 

At  a  mission  at  De  Ruyter,  Cortlandt  County,  where  there  was 
no  Episcopal  church  nor  parish,  the  congregations  in  the 
Town  Hall  were  so  large  that  the  Methodists  kindly  loaned 
the  use  of  their  church  for  several  of  the  services,  and  also 
invited  the  missioner  to  deliver  therein,  at  an  afternoon 
service,  a  lecture  on  ' '  John  Wesley  and  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land." For  the  closing  service  held  in  the  Town  Hall  they 
loaned  their  camp-chairs,  which  were  used  by  those  who 
could  find  no  other  seats,  and  a  number  of  Methodists  were 
present  at  the  service. 

There  were  but  three  persons  in  De  Ruyter  who  were 
favorable  toward  "  Episcopalians,"  two  of  whom  were  at 
a  distant  place  on  a  visit.  Some  who  attended  the  mission 
had  never  before  attended  "  a  Church  service."  But  after 
the  mission  the  missioner  was  requested  to  say  to  the 
Bishop  that  "if  he  would  send  them  a  clergyman  for  a 
year  they  would  provide  a  place  for  church  services,  and 
after  a  twelvemonth  continue  to  do  so,  and  support  him 
themselves."  To  introduce  our  Church  through  a  mission, 
and  then  support  a  clergyman  for  a  year  or  more  for  regu- 
lar services,  would  be  more  economical  than   to  give  an 


120  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

"  occasional  service,"  form  a  "  feeble  parish,"  and  to  give 
a  "  stipend  "  from  the  missionary  treasury  for  as  many 
years  as  the  children  of  Israel  wandered  in  the  wilder- 
ness. 

A  mission  in  Port  Byroti  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  kindly  loaned  for  its  services.  The  parish  was 
feeble  and  the  members  few,  but  night  after  night  large 
and  attentive  congregations  were  present  at  the  services. 
At  an  appropriate  time  the  Evangelist  delivered  lectures  to 
impart  instruction  respecting  the  history  of  the  Church. 
A  physician  who  heard  the  notice  of  a  lecture  on  the  "  Life 
Relation  of  John  Wesley  to  the  Church  of  England,"  in 
which  he  lived  and  died,  in  order  to  upset  what  he  supposed 
the  lecturer  would  say,  examined  his  encyclopaedia  and 
works  on  Church  history.  But  at  the  close  of  the  lecture, 
instead  of  controverting  its  statements,  he  candidly  stated 
that  they  were  all  in  harmony  with  the  historic  facts  of  his 
recent  investigations.  As  the  people  needed  Church  in- 
struction as  well  as  Gospel  exhortation,  the  mission  was 
closed  by  a  lecture  on  "  Apostolical  Succession."  It  was 
delivered  in  the  largest  hall  in  the  place,  and  though  the 
snow  was  falling,  all  the  seats  were  occupied  by  persons  who 
desired  to  hear  the  lecture,  and  some  stood  during  the 
whole  service.  On  this  subject  the  people  need  instruc- 
tion, for  the  phrase  is  as  puzzling  to  some  as  the  term, 
"  Filioque."  Some  time  ago  a  lady  said  :  "  Paul  had  no 
successors,  for  he  was  never  married  !"  The  day  after  the 
delivery  of  the  lecture  referred  to  a  "  Protestant"  who 
met  a  "  Roman  Catholic"  said  :  "  So  you  went  to  hear 
the  Evangelist  who  abuses  all  Christians  who  are  not  Epis- 
copalians !"  The  Roman  Catholic  said  to  the  "  Protes- 
tant," who  had  not  heard  the  lecture:  "Yes,  I  went  to 
hear  the  Evangelist,  who  did  not  abuse  or  speak  unkindly 
of  any  one,  but  at  one  part  of  his  lecture  touched   up  the 


EPISCOPAL   PARISH  IN  DE  RUYTER.  127 

Pope  just  a  little."  The  Episcopalians  at  Port  Byron  now 
have  a  church  building,  and  do  not  forget  the  kindness  of 
the  Presbyterians,  who  gave  the  free  use  of  their  church 
for  the  mission  or  other  special  services. 

The  Episcopal  Register,  Philadelphia,  published  a  brief 
notice  of  the  mission  : 

"special  mission  work  in  CENTRAL  NEW  YORK. 

"  Notwithstanding  that  the  winter  has  fairly  commenced, 
the  activities  of  religious  life  continue  to  develop  them- 
selves, in  various  localities,  with  considerabe  interest.  The 
Evangelist  of  this  diocese,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  assisted 
by  Rev.  Messrs.  Phillips  and  Paul,  has  recently  concluded 
a  very  interesting  mission  at  Port  Byron.  .  .  .  The  services 
were  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  The  sermons  were 
listened  to  by  large  congregations,  embracing  persons  of 
almost  all  religious  denominations,  with  marked  attention  ; 
deep  impressions  were  evidently  made.  On  Tuesday  even- 
ing the  Evangelist  delivered  a  lecture  on  '  John  Wesley  in 
His  Relations  to  the  Church  of  England.'  The  service 
was  well  attended,  and  very  encouraging  to  those  who  are 
working  for  the  establishment  of  the  Church.'' 

In  St.  John  s  Church,  Ithaca,  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan, 
Rector,  an  eight  days'  mission  was  held.  The  congrega- 
tions were  large,  and  professors  and  students  of  Cornell 
University  were  present  at  the  services. 

"After  the  mission  had  closed,  the  Missionary  Convoca- 
tion of  the  Sixth  District  of  the  Diocese  of  Central  New  York 
was  held  in  the  same  church.  Among  the  clergy  present 
were  the  Rev.  George  McKnight,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church, 
and  the  Rev.  Francis  D.  Hoskins,  Rector  of  Grace  Church, 
Elmira  ;  Rev.  J.  F.  Esch,  of  Waverly,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Randolph,  of  Trumansburg.  On  the  second  day  of  the  con- 
vocation a    sermon  was  preached    on    the    importance   of 


128  .  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

faithfully  and  earnestly  preaching  the  Gospel  ;  after  which 
the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated.  The  remainder  of 
the  day  was  spent  in  the  transaction  of  business." 

The  Rector  some  time  afterward  resigned  the  rectorship 
and  travelled  as  a  missioner.  He  conducted  several  en- 
couraging missions,  but  so  few  of  the  clergy  sympathized 
with  his  ardent  expectations  that  he  became  discouraged, 
and  settled  as  the  Rector  of  a  church  in  Cincinnati.  Through 
a  vision  that  the  ghost  of  the  Roman  Pontiff  would  emerge 
from  ritualistic  practices,  he  became  unduly  alarmed,  and 
resigned  his  rectorship.  But  he  is  again  active  in  the 
Church  he  dearly  loves,  and  doing  a  good  work.  He  is 
now  greatly  rejoicing  that  brethren  who  were  as  much 
afraid  of  parochial  missions  as  he  was  afraid  of  "  ritualism" 
are  now  welcoming  even  foreign  missioners,  and  heartily 
co-operating  with  them  at  mission  services.  During  the 
Xew  York  Advent  Mission  he  was  absent  in  body,  but  pres- 
ent in  spirit,  and  earnestly  prayed  :  "O  Lord,  bless  the 
labors  of  missioners  and  rectors." 

"We  wish,  in  this  connection,  to  say  a  word  about 
the  interesting  and  profitable  week  of  mission  work 
which  closed  last  night  at  St.  John's  Church.  It  is 
remarked  by  every  one  who  has  attended  the  church  in  the 
past  week  that  it  has  been  greatly  revived  by  the  inspir- 
ing sermons  and  earnest  labors  of  Mr.  Bonham.  A 
number  have  been  added  permanently  to  the  confirmation 
class,  and  the  attendance  upon  the  services  has  been 
largely  increased.  Mr.  Bonham  was  ably  sustained  by  the 
Rector,  Mr.  Morgan,  under  whom  we  hope  to  see  the  good 
,»work  and  enthusiasm  kept  up." 

An  eight  days'  mission  was  held  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Ox- 
ford. The  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  Ayrault,  D.D.,  heartily 
co-operated  with  the  Evangelist  to  make  the  mission  profit- 
able.    The  services  were  well  attended,  and  the  parishion- 


ETISCOPAL  PARISH  IN  DE  RUYTER.  129 

ers  and  others  were  deeply  interested.  At  the  closing  ser- 
vice of  the  mission  the  congregation  was  unusually  large. 
After  the  Rector  became  the  Chaplain  of  Hobart  College, 
Geneva,  N.  Y.,  he  was  full  of  enthusiasm  respecting  what 
parochial  missions  will  ultimately  accomplish  for  our 
Church  in  America.  Again  and  again  he  spoke  cheering 
words  to  the  Evangelist.  The  doctor  has  departed  to  the 
blissful  rest  of  paradise  ;  but  the  Evangelist  has  often  been 
cheered  by  the  re-echo  of  his  words  :  "  Do  not  accept  the 
rectorship  of  any  parish,  but  continue  to  labor  as  an  evan- 
gelist, should  the  time  come  that  you  may  be  able  to  hold 
a  mission  only  occasionally.  The  fact  that  you  are  not  a 
rector  will  keep  the  mission  idea  before  our  Church.  The 
time  will  come  when  rectors  will  more  fully  appreciate  the 
value  of  parochial  missions."  He  was  very  enthusiastic 
himself,  and  spake  as  a  true  prophet. 


130  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   V. 

mission  in  st.  George's  church,  utica. 

Sermons  in  Grace  Church — /;/  Calvary  Church — Missions  in 
Other  Places — Brethren  Remembered — Bishop  Huntington  s 
Cheering  Circular. 

The  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  T.  Gibson,  D.D.,  heartily  co- 
operated with  the  Evangelist  during  the  eight  days'  mis- 
sion. Both  regretted  that  an  advertised  farce,  to  be  acted 
in  the  large  double  parlors  of  a  parishioner,  could  not  be 
given  up  or  postponed.  The  mission  was  closed  Sunday 
evening  by  a  sermon  on  "  Gaining  the  World,  but  Losing 
the  World-Gainer's  Soul,"  and  described  the  awful  death 
of  the  renowned  actress,  Madame  Rachel.  On  Monday 
evening  a  number  who  heard  the  sermon  crowded  the  par- 
lors referred  to,  and  witnessed  the  ludicrous  farce,  "Turn 
Him  Out" — not  the  missioner.  But  the  mission  was  not 
wholly  neutralized.  The  Rector,  who  is  editor  of  the  Church 
Eclectic,  reported  to  the  Church  Journal as  follows  : 

"  Messrs.  Editors  :  The  hands  of  the  clergy  are  so  full, 
and  their  time  so  incessantly  absorbed  by  parish  work,  that 
they  can  hardly  ever  stop  to  become  their  own  chroniclers. 
I  doubt  if  one  in  a  hundred  ever  keeps  a  '  diary/  Pro  bono 
publico,  however,  I  wish  to  put  in  a  word  for  the  important 
work  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  the  '  Evangelist  '  of  the 
diocese  of  Central  New  York.  It  is  a  kind  of  work  which 
our  diocese,  I   believe,  has  been   the   first   to  inaugurate  ; 


MISSION  IN  ST.  GEOKGE'S   CI/CA'C//,    UTICA.         131 

Iowa  and  Virginia  have  already  followed   suit,  and  other 
dioceses  are  instituting  inquiry  into  this  subject. 

"  Mr.  Bonham  has  been  engaged  in  this  labor  for  a  year 
past,  and  has  held  mission  services  (usually  a  series  of  eight 
days)  at  many  points  in  the  diocese  where  the  Church  is 
weak,  in  some  cases  where  the  services  of  the  Church  had 
never  been  held  before.  They  have  almost  always  been 
crowded,  proving  that  the  people  will  come,  and  will 
listen,  where  the  principles  of  the  Church  are  presented  in 
a  clear,  manly,  and  courteous  way,  and  where  sermons  are 
preached  full  of  Bible  truth,  taking  hold  of  intellect,  con- 
science, and  will,  all  together. 

"  Mr.  Bonham  has  just  concluded  an  eight  days'  mission 
in  the  parish  of  St.  George's,  Utica,  leaving,  as  we  are 
persuaded,  permanent  effects  upon  our  religious ///*<?.  City 
parishes  often  forget  that  they  were  organized  for  spiritual 
purposes  at  all,  and  degenerate  into  mere  societies  and  social 
clubs,  acting  under  the  spur  of  worldly  competitio?i.  In 
nothing  is  this  more  conspicuous  than  in  the  perpetual 
round  of  fairs,  festivals,  concerts,  dramatic  entertainments, 
tableaux,  etc.,  with  which  public  '  patronage'  is  constantly 
besieged,  a  state  of  things  exceedingly  unfavorable  to 
spiritual  growth.  It  seems  to  me  that  mission  services, 
thoroughly  followed  up,  will  go  to  the  root  of  this  evil,  by 
recalling  us  to  the  great  end  and  object  of  the  Church 
itself,  the  development  of  personal  religion  in  each  and 
every  individual.  We  cannot  hide  a  corrupt  private  life 
under  a  noisy  or  officious  zeal  for  the  society,  or  make  a 
miserable  party  spirit  pass  for  loyalty  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 

1 '  In  the  course  of  his  mission  in  St.  George' s  Mr.  Bonham 
gave  a  lecture  on  '  John  Wesley's  Position  in  the  Church,' 
and  another  on  the  '  Great  Awakening  in  the  Church  of 
England.'  Both  of  these  are  repeated  this  week  in  other 
parishes  of  the  city.     The  lecture  on  '  Wesley  '  ought  to  be 


132  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

delivered  in  every  village  and  hamlet  of  the  land.  It 
would  do  more  to  obviate  prejudices  and  conciliate  the 
public  mind  to  the  Church  than  years  of  ordinary  paro- 
chial labor.  It  is  remarkable,  too,  how  a  clear  definition  of 
Wesley's  position  forms  a  complete  answer  and  antidote 
to  such  a  movement  as  that  of  Bishop  Cummins,  on  the 
one  hand,  while  it  gives  full  scope  to  all  the  really  catholic 
and  spiritual  aspirations  of  ritualism  on  the  other.  It  is 
no  mere  fancy.  John  Wesley's  evangelical  standpoint  is 
a  good  rally ing-place  for  all  who  combine,  with  exact 
churchly  order,  aggressive  work  for  souls  ;  who  wish  the 
doctrines  of  grace  without  the  five  points  of  Calvinism, 
and  love  glory  and  beauty  in  the  sanctuary. 

"  These  mission  services  ought  properly  to  be  conducted 
by  two  or  three  mission  priests,  working  together.  It  is 
impossible  for  one  man  to  preach  at  every  service,  and  fol- 
low it  up  with  personal  conferences  and  private  instruc- 
tion, which  are  really  essential  in  order  to  reap  any  fruits 
from  the  mission.  Class  teaching  is  as  necessary  for  an 
adult  population  as  for  Sunday-schools. 

"It  is  much  to  be  hoped  that  Mr.  Bonham's  engage- 
ment may  be  continued  another  year.  In  commercial 
phrase,  nothing  would  '  pay  '  better  for  the  interests  of  the 
diocese  and  the  Church.  G." 

The  clergy  and  laity  treated  their  Evangelist  with  great 
brotherly  kindness  ;  those  who  were  not  enthusiastic  con- 
cerning parochial  missions,  and  did  not  desire  at  present 
to  have  one,  placed  no  obstacles  in  his  way  for  missions  in 
other  places.  They  cordially  welcomed  him  to  their  re- 
spective parishes  to  deliver  historical  lectures  or  preach 
Gospel  sermons,  though  they  were  on  the  lists  of  some  of 
his  series  of  mission  subjects.  The  fraternal  kindness  of 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Lockwood,  Pattison,  Babcock,  Clark,  and 


MISSION  IN  ST.    CEO  AGE'S  CHURCH,    UTICA.         133 

others,  then  in  Syracuse  ;  the  Rev.  G.  P.  Hebbard,  in 
whose  parish  "a  mission  was  held  and  well  attended  ;" 
the  Rev.  Drs.  Van  Deusen,*  Goodrich,  Gibson,  and  Coxe, 
of  Utica  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  of  Auburn  ;  W.  Doty,  of 
Watertown  ;  Hitchcock,  of  Binghamton  ;  and  McKnight, 
of  Elmira  ;  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Beauchamp,  of  Baldwinsville  ; 
Winslow,  and  Staunton,  and  Brewer,  of  Waterville  ;  the 
Rev.  Robert  Paul,  of  Port  Byron  ;  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Per- 
rine,  of  Oneida  ;  Gardner,  of  Utica  ;  Hubbard,  of  Seneca 
Falls  ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beach,  of  Owego,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Cross,  of  Mexico,  where  the  Evangelist  held  two  missions  ; 
and  other  clergymen  of  the  diocese  and  faithful  laity,  are 
remembered  with  great  pleasure  ;  and  the  Evangelist  is  glad 
to  here  record  that,  their  fraternal  kindness  is  "  still  green" 
in  his  memory. 

Rectors  and  missioners  have  too  many  humiliating  trials 
to  be  unduly  ecstatic  by  w7ords  of  encouragement.  But 
between  the  two  they  may  keep  their  equilibrium  and  not 
fall  prostrate.  After  the  Evangelist  had  labored  for 
nearly  a  year  under  Bishop  Huntington's  very  pleasant  direc- 
tion he  was  cheered  to  read  a  circular  sent  to  his  clergy 
and  others,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract  : 

"  The  results  are  well  known  to  have  been  exceedingly 
satisfactory  wherever  missions  have  been  held  by  the 
Evangelist,  whether  in  established  parishes  or  on  new 
ground.  His  labors  have  been  everywhere  efficient,  accept- 
able, and  useful  to  the  people,  as  they  have  been  gratifying 
to  me.  The  clergy  have  uniformly  testified  to  their  value, 
and  the  laymen  have  confirmed  that  testimony.  Visiting 
parishes  where  these  services  have  been  held,  I  have  found 
increased  seriousness  and  an  improved  attention  to  re- 
ligious duties.  Rubrical  and  canonical  regularity  have  been 
strictly  observed.     Of  that  sort  of  excitement  which  is  apt 

*  He  now  rests  from  his  labors  and  his  works  follow  him. 


134  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


to  be  followed  by  reaction  I  see  no  trace  and  hear  no 
sound.  Of  the  healthy  excitement  which  is  a  sign  of  life, 
and  which  befits  believing  men  living  in  a  world  so  worldly 
as  this,  and  going  fast  to  judgment,  there  is  still  too  little, 
almost  everywhere,  rather  than  too  much." 


'•WHAT  IS  AN  EVANGELIST.-'  136 


CHAPTER   VI. 

"what  is  an  evangelist?" 

His  Work  of  Two  Kinds — The  Hearer  who  has  Weathered 
a  Thousand  Ordinary  Sermons  —  The  Mission  Thoroughly 
Tested  in  England—  The  Best  Mission  the  One  that  Lasts 
During  the  Year  —  Rubrical  Elasticity  —  New  Pentecosts 
Desired. 

If  the  reader  is  not  familiar  with  the  work  of  an  Evangel- 
ist, and  the  specific  design  of  a  parochial  mission,  extracts 
from  Bishop  Huntington's  address  to  the  Diocesan  Con- 
vention in  Trinity  Church,  Elmira,  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Mc- 
Knight,  D.D.,  Rector,  will  give  the  desired  information. 
The  Bishop  said  :  "  You  will  desire  me  to  make  some  report 
of  a  form  of  Church  extension  that  has  been  put  on  trial  in 
the  diocese  within  the  year,  the  work  of  an  evangelist. 
In  my  last  address  I  earnestly  asked  of  you  a  special  pro- 
vision for  setting  such  an  agency  in  operation,  and  gave 
reasons  for  the  request.  ...  As  soon  as  a  sufficient 
amount  had  been  subscribed  to  warrant  it,  I  appointed 
an  Evangelist  .  .  .  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham.  He  entered 
immediately  on  the  service,  and  has  continued  in  it,  with 
energy  and  enthusiasm,  ever  since,  laboring  in  places  I 
have  designated.  For  reasons  that  seem  to  me  decisive, 
he  has  been  employed  hitherto  in  regions  comparatively 
obscure,  with  only  three  exceptions.  Thus  far,  the  testi- 
mony of  our  clergy  who  have  witnessed  or  shared  his  work, 
of  the  congregations  to  which  he  has  preached,  and  of  the 


136  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

communities  where  he  has  tarried,  as  well  as  of  the  visible 
effects  he  has  accomplisned,  have  had  but  one  purport.  It 
has  confirmed  the  belief  which  the  New  Testament,  together 
with  the  primitive  and  general  history  of  the  Church,  had 
led  many  of  us  to  entertain,  that  a  ministry  of  this  char- 
acter occupies  a  normal  place  within  the  manifold  com- 
mission to  convert  the  world  to  Christ,  and,  in  fact,  in  the 
ordinary  conditions  of  society,  no  branch  of  the  Apostolic 
Church  is  completely  equipped  without  it. 

"An  evangelist's  service  is  of  two  kinds.  He  may  go 
into  a  village,  or  the  suburbs  of  a  city,  where  the  Church 
is  almost  or  entirely  unknown,  and  there,  either  singly  or 
with  the  voluntary  help  of  neighboring  clergy,  he  may 
conduct  a  succession  of  daily  meetings,  made  up  of  such 
people  as  proper  public  notices  can  call  together  in  a 
building  procured  for  the  purpose.  With  Prayer-Book 
worship,  instructions,  exhortations,  expositions  of  Church 
doctrine  and  discipline,  the  Evangelist  appeals  to  the 
conscience  and  the  heart.  .  .  .  Generally  this  movement 
contemplates  either  the  subsequent  planting  of  a  perma- 
nent missionary  station,  under  the  cure  of  a  neighboring 
rector,  or  the  formation  of  a  parish.  If  these  results  do 
not  immediately  follow,  there  cannot  possibly  be  a  failure 
of  substantial  good  from  the  delivery  of  the  Gospel  mes- 
sage, together  with  a  zealous  manifestation  of  the  methods, 
principles  and  spirit  of  our  Household  of  Faith.  Life  is 
born  of  such  action,  as  surely  as  man  and  the  kingdom 
keep  their  constitution,  and  God  keeps  His  promises. 

"  As  another  part  of  his  business,  the  Evangelist  goes 
within  the  limits  of  a  parish  already  established.  He  can 
go  there  only  by  the  voluntary  invitation  of  the  minister  in 
charge.  That  minister  reserves  all  his  pastoral  rights,  and 
nothing  is  done  or  spoken  in  contradiction  of  his  wishes. 
He  may  be  supposed  to  feel  more  or  less  profoundly  the 


WHAT   IS  AN  EVANGELIST?"  137 


need  of  every  possible  help  he  can  get  in  achieving  the  ends 
of  his  ministry.  He  may  feel  with  sadness  that  his  people, 
need  to  be  aroused  and  awakened  to  a  spiritual  life  which 
his  single-handed  efforts  have  never  been  able  to  kindle  ; 
he  may  feel  that  he  is  fighting  an  unequal  battle  there 
alone  against  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil  ;  he  ma)'' 
feel  that,  in  the  remarkable  diversity  of  susceptibilities  and 
states  of  men's  minds,  other  ministrations  than  he  has  time 
or  strength  for,  other  voices  than  his  own,  or  other  methods, 
may  possibly  carry  with  them  the  blessing  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  for  the  supplementing  and  enlarging  of  his  own 
faithful  toil.  Here,  then,  will  be  an  occasion  for  what  has 
become  known  in  the  Church  as  the  '  Parochial  Mission.' 

"  This  mission  is  '  a  concentration  of  spiritual  force  upon 
one  place  for  a  short  time.'  So  far  is  it  from  interfering 
with  a  pastor's  prerogative,  or  abating  his  influence,  that 
it  is  rather  a  '  regular  exercise  of  pastoral  jurisdiction, 
calling  in  the  assistance  of  an  extraneous  power  for  a  tem- 
porary effort.'  For  the  time  being  an  evangelist  is  a 
representative  of  the  local  minister.  Bringing  his  own 
individuality  and  his  own  modes,  everything  he  does  is 
still  tributary  to  the  pastor's  will.  Indifference  being  the 
great  obstacle,  the  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  break  it  up  — 
that  is,  to  arouse  and  fix  attention.  Two  principles  of 
human  nature  are  laid  hold  of.  One  is,  that  in  almost  any 
neighborhood  a  succession  of  public  services  will  excite 
interest.  The  stress  of  exertion  laid  out  will  tell  upon  the 
people  in  spite  of  themselves.  If  a  man  that  is  half  asleep 
will  not  wake  up  at  a  single  call  or  shake,  you  call  or 
shake  him  again  and  again,  till  his  waking  is  beyond  ques- 
tion. Let  the  mission  once  publicly  begin,  and  the  people 
will  do  the  advertising  with  one  another  in  their  houses, 
streets,  shops,  and  fields.  Another  principle  is  that  im- 
pressions repeated  in  rapid  succession  will  sometimes  effect 


138  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

a  conviction  of  the  mind,  and  determine  the  will,  when 
ordinary  appliances  at  the  usual  intervals  will  not.  We 
may  inquire,  with  Canon  Fremantle,  '  Where  is  the  clergy- 
man who  would  not  welcome  with  thankfulness  any 
agency  which  would,  by  God's  blessing,  kindle  afresh  the 
light  of  truth  and  love  in  the  hearts  of  the  many  of  his 
parishioners  who  live  in  the  habitual  rejection  of  the  Word 
of  Life,  unbelieving  and  ungodly  ? '  A.  conservative  old 
English  incumbent  used  to  say  :  '  You  must  have  a  system 
of  alternatives  that  will  introduce  some  variety  without 
disturbing  order.'  Another  official  of  the  same  Church 
said  at  the  Leeds  Congress,  last  October  :  '  When  the 
leading  farmer,  or  the  leading  squire,  or  the  leading 
manufacturer,  has  sat  under  a  thousand  sermons  from  the 
same  rector  ;  has  sat  there  shielded  and  protected  by  a 
little  sleep,  a  good  deal  of  inattention,  and  a  great  mass  of 
dogged  prejudice — when  he  has  weathered  a  thousand 
sermons  without  altering  his  tack  or  shifting  a  sail,  it  is 
very  difficult,  either  for  a  squire  or  rector,  to  expect  that 
the  thousand  and  first  sermon  shall  produce  a  revolution  in 
his  whole  soul,  and  scatter  all  his  prejudices  to  the  winds.' 
The  mission  preacher,  coming  from  without,  not  only 
brings  with  him  his  own  style  and  manner,  but  he  has 
sometimes  a  peculiar  advantage  in  delivering  his  rebukes 
and  warnings  with  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  weak 
points  and  wicked  points  of  the  audience  before  him.  The 
searching  words  of  a  stranger  will  often  penetrate  the  con- 
science of  a  hearer  with  salutary  power,  when  words 
equally  pungent  and  equally  kind  from  the  lips  of  a  familiar 
friend  are  construed  into  an  offensive  personality.  The 
power  of  preaching,  however,  is  not  the  only  power  of  the 
mission.  A  double  strength  and  a  double  fervor  are  given 
to  prayer.  The  minister  and  the  people  are,  for  some  time 
beforehand,  in  secret  as  well  as  public  supplication  for 


'  •  WHA  T  IS  AN  E  VANGEUSTV '  139 

a  direct  spiritual  gift,  uniting  their  intercessions,  asking 
for  a  common  and  yet  a  special  good.  Indeed,  the  in- 
crease of  devotion  is  quite  as  important  an  element  in  the 
instrumentality  as  the  multiplying  of  sermons.  In  all  well- 
conducted  parish  missions  it  is  arranged  that  there  shall 
also  be  added  opportunities  for  receiving  sacramental 
blessings.  In  short,  every  legitimate  agency  that  tends  to 
the  increase  of  spiritual  life,  or  that  draws  the  hearts  of 
men  nearer  to  the  heart  of  Christ,  is  stimulated.  A  report 
to  the  Church  Congress  of  1872  on  this  subject  dwells 
forcibly  on  the  idea  that  a  mission  tends  not  to  separation, 
but  to  unity,  using  this  language  :  '  The  parish  priest 
who  invites  an  evangelist  sets  before  his  people  the  fact 
that  there  are  others  widely  different  from  himself  in  the 
circumstances  of  life,  who  are  yet  one  with  him  in  its  divine 
realities  ;  that  he  is  not  afraid  of  their  co-operation,  or 
ashamed  to  seek  help,  because  the  fire  with  which  he  burns 
is  the  very  same  which  enkindles  them,  so  that  the  flame 
of  his  own  ministry,  flickering,  it  may  be,  in  its  loneliness, 
will  not  be  lost,  but  be  strengthened  by  union  with  that  of 
others.  In  these  days  of  individuality  and  separation  it 
impresses  people  to  see  united  action  on  the  part  of  the 
clergy.' 

11  If  we  needed  any  foreign  evidences  of  the  effective- 
ness of  evangelist  missions,  we  could  find  them  in  abun- 
dance in  recent  examples  in  Great  Britain.  .  .  .  They  have 
taken  the  various  forms  of  Advent  Missions,  Lent  Missions, 
Diocesan  Conferences,  Ten  Days'  Missions,  Octaves,  and 
the  Novena,  between  Ascension  Day  and  Whitsun  Day. 
Bishops  and  archbishops  of  the  establishment  have 
thoroughly  and  cordially  committed  themselves  to  them, 
not  only  sanctioning  but  organizing  them.  ...  In  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church  parochial  missions  have  long  been 
recognized  as  a  most  effective  means  both  of  propagation 


140  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

and  edification.  ...  '  There  is  no  harm  in  doing  an  un- 
usual thing  merely  because  it  is  not  done  every  day.'  No 
doubt,  as  Mr.  Beresford  Hope  remarks,  '  the  best  of  all 
missions  is  the  mission  that  lasts  three  hundred  and  sixty- 
five  days  in  a  year/  But  he  and  nearly  all  the  speakers 
about  him  agreed  that  one  of  the  surest  roads  to  the 
restoration  of  the  daily  services  of  the  Church  is  a  judicious 
use  of  the  parochial  mission.  A  clergyman  at  the  Church 
Congress  in  South  Hampton,  in  1870,  testified  that  in  his 
own  parish  an  increase  of  communicants  from  forty-five 
to  two  hundred  and  fifty  was  mainly  the  result  of  the  parish 
mission.  Another  speaker,  allowing  for  deficiencies  and 
hazards,  observes  :  '  The  infidelity,  the  ignorance,  the 
practical  ungodliness  of  the  times,  are  crying  aloud  for 
some  fresh  outcome  of  energy  and  zeal  to  contend  with 
them.   .   .   .' 

"  I  sincerely  hope  that  by  a  clear  and  settled  pathway  of 
law  our  Church  in  this  country  will  before  long  attain  to 
views  as  sensible,  comprehensive,  and  catholic  as  these. 
I  am  not  possessed  by  the  idea  that  in  every  parish  among 
us  the  measures  here  indicated  can  be  profitably  employed, 
or  that  all  rectors  could  work  with  them  advantageously 
and  happily.  To  those,  if  there  are  any  such,  who 
regard  the  present  religious  condition  of  our  congregations 
as  satisfactory,  who  feel  no  painful  longing  for  new  out- 
pourings of  God's  Spirit,  and  new  manifestations  of  the 
power  of  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  1  do  not  expect  that 
they  will  come  with  much  weight  or  carry  much  meaning. 
But  most  of  us,  I  believe,  will  never  be  satisfied,  and  never 
rest  until,  by  any  instruments  that  God's  Word  and  Provi- 
dence and  Spirit  have  offered  to  our  hands,  the  fires  and 
winds  of, new  Pentecosts  burn  and  blow  along  these  frigid 
and  stagnate  wastes  around  us."    .   .   . 


//'//)'  THE  EVANGELIST  LEFT  CENTRAL  NEW  YORK.  Ill 


CHAPTER    VII. 

WHY  THE  EVANGELIST  LEFT  CENTRAL  NEW  YORK. 

Advice  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  JDe  Koven  Acted  Upon — The  Steamship 
City  of  Antwerp— A  Bishop  s  Cry,  "Save  Me  /"—Safe  Ar- 
rival in  Liverpool — St.  Peter  s,  Dulwich — St.  Paul  s  Cathe- 
dral, London — Canterbury  Cathedral — Canon  Robertson  Un- 
willing to  Witness  Stealing — The  Retreat  at  Cowley — The 
Rule  of  Silence —  The  Retreat  a  Blessed  Means  of  Grace — 
Letters  to  the  Church  Journal. 

The  Bishop  kindly  desired  his  Evangelist  to  continue 
his  mission  labors  ;  suggested  that  hereafter  missions  will 
move  on  a  higher  plane  or  be  welcomed  in  larger  churches. 
During  the  year  he  had  preached  between  two  and  three 
hundred  times  ;  he  needed  a  season  of  rest.  The  Bishop 
requested  him  to  take  the  rest  he  needed  after  one  mis- 
sion had  ended  before  he  commenced  another.  He  needed 
a  longer  rest  than  he  was  willing  to  take  while  receiv- 
ing a  salary.  At  a  missionary  anniversary  in  New  York 
City  the  Rev.  J.  De  Koven,  D.D. ,  said,  "  You  ought  to  go 
to  London  in  time  for  the  great  Prelent  Mission."  He  re- 
solved to  do  so,  and  arranged  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Matson  that 
the  Church  Journal  re-echo  its  progress  to  cheer  church- 
men in  America.  With  letters  commendatory  from  the 
Bishop  of  Illinois  and  of  Central  New  York  "  to  the  Arch- 
bishop, Bishops  and  Clergy  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  to  the  faithful  in  Christ,"  to  afford  him  facilities  to 
study  the  phases  of  the   London   Prelent   Mission  and  its 


142  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

modes  of  working,  early  in  January  he  sailed  from  New 
York  for  Liverpool,  in  the  steamer  "  City  of  Antwerp," 
commanded  by  Captain  Lavar.  He  had  previously 
crossed  the  ocean  in  a  steamer  of  which  seaman  Lavar  was 
the  mate.  Captain  Lavar  and  his  officers  treated  him 
with  great  kindness,  and  combined  with  the  elements  to 
throw  summer  gladness  on  an  ocean  passage  in  January. 
Captain  Lavar  a  few  years  before  had  crossed  the  ocean  in 
a  steamer  in  which  the  Right  Rev.  C.  P.  Mcllvaine  was  a 
passenger.  During  a  storm  a  heavy  sea  overwhelmed  the 
Bishop  while  standing  in  the  hatchway  of  the  cabin  saloon. 
The  wave  rilled  its  entrance,  and  the  Bishop  was  strug- 
gling in  the  water,  crying  :  "  Save  vie  !  save  me!"  As  the 
Bishop  used  his  voice  writh  diapason  power,  Mate  Lavar 
heard  his  imploring  cry,  "  Save  me, '!  and  instantly  rescued 
him. 

The  Central  Xew  York  Evangelist  arrived  in  Liver- 
pool January  21st,  and  proceeded  to  London.  On  Sunday 
he  preached  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  Dulwich  ;  Monday,  at 
4  p.m.,  attended  the  festival  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  cele- 
brating the  conversion  of  St.  Paul.  No  person  was  ad- 
mitted without  a  ticket,  yet  the  Cathedral  was  filled.  The 
oratorio  was  finely  rendered  by  distinguished  soloists  and 
a  multitude  of  choristers,  accompanied  by  the  rich-toned 
organ,  and  various  trumpets,  and  some  instruments  of  in- 
describable shape.  A  chorister  about  sixty  years  of  age  in 
a  clear  soprano  voice  sang  a  solo  !  The  London  fogs  seem 
not  to  early  ruin  the  voices  of  the  Cathedral  and  Abbey 
choristers,  some  of  whom  are  old  men,  but  have  rich  bass 
or  tenor  voices. 

The  London  clergy  were  busy  preparing  for  the  Prelent 
Mission,  and  corresponding  with  clergymen  who  were  ex- 
pected in  London  to  aid  the  missioners.  Canon  Gregory,  of 
St.  Paul ' s,  advised   the  author  to  attend  the  Clerical  Re- 


U'l/V  THE  EVANGELIST  LEFT  CENTRAL  NEW  YORK.  1  13 


treat,  soon  to  be  held  at  Cowley,  Oxford.  He  kindly 
wrote  to  Father  Benson,  the  Head  of  the  House  of  St.  J  im 
the  Evangelist,  to  send  the  Evangelist  from  America  a 
personal  invitation  to  come  to  the  Retreat.  While  the 
guest  of  the  Rev.  Canon  Robertson,  of  Canterbury  Cathedral — 
also  Professor  of  Ecclesiastical  History  in  King's  College, 
London — the  invitation,  by  telegram,  was  received.  Canon 
Robertson  showed  him  the  various  objects  of  interest  in  the 
Cathedral  and  its  precincts,  and  his  eloquent  historical 
descriptions  made  the  past  present.  Such  visits  stamp 
history  deeply  in  the  mind,  and  Canon  Robertson's  polite- 
ness will  be  long  remembered.  After  the  three  o'clock 
service  in  the  Cathedral  we  visited  St.  Martin's  Church  ; 
and,  though  there  is  nothing  gorgeous  in  the  exterior  or 
interior,  we  entered  it  with  feelings  of  unusual  interest. 
This  church  is  mentioned  by  the  Venerable  Bede,  and  is 
probably  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the  kingdom.  Old 
Roman  bricks  are  still  visible  in  its  ancient  walls.  On  the 
occasion  of  Queen  Bertha's  marriage  to  King  Ethelbert 
she  brought  from  France  her  bishop  and  clerks,  and  herein 
they  worshipped.  Here  the  large  font  at  which  King 
Ethelbert  was  baptized  is  still  preserved.  Near  the  chancel 
is  the  sarcophagus  supposed  to  be  the  stone  coffin  in  which 
Queen  Bertha  was  buried.  On  the  floor  in  front  of  the 
chancel  are  ancient  brass  tablets  set  in  stone,  to  commem- 
orate the  faithful  dead.  Here  Christians  worshipped  cen- 
turies before  the  mission  of  St.  Augustine  was  contem- 
plated; and  here  he  and  his  monks  worshipped  when  he 
came  to  fulfil  Gregory's  design.  The  place  is  one  of  so 
much  interest  that  it  has  again  been  repaired  and  refitted 
for  public  worship,  and  will  long  proclaim  that  here  existed 
a  branch  of  Christ's  Apostolic  Church  centuries  before  a  Romish 
missionary  had  touched  British  shores. 

Canon    Robertson,    who    was    a    happy-looking    English- 


144  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

man,  was  greatly  pleased  while  showing  a  copy  of  Har- 
per* s  Magazine  containing  a  personal  description  of  "  Canon 
Robertson,  of  Canterbury,"  but  with  another  person's 
picture,  having  a  thin,  oval  face,  and  cadaverous  look  ! 
While  showing  the  objects  of  interest  in  the  crypt  of  the 
Cathedral  his  guest  saw  some  scattered  fragments  of 
stone  that  had  been  removed  from  damaged  sculpture 
which  had  been  "  restored."  Desiring  a  small  relic — 
much  smaller  than  the  fragment  inserted  in  the  new  All 
Saints'  Church,  Worcester,  Mass.,  he  said  :  "  May  I  take  a 
small  fragment  for  a  relic  ?"  The  polite  Canon  did  not 
wish  to  say  "  No,  sir,"  but  in  a  melodious  tone  answered  : 
11  Mr.  Bonham,  I  will  close  my  eyes,  and  not  see  what  is 
improper."  Not  desiring  to  break  a  Cathedral  law,  of 
course  he  instantly  dropped  the  fragment  referred  to. 
The  Canon  now  is  with  the  "  blessed  dead,"  but  his 
memory   is  revered    by  many. 

The  American  Evangelist  safely  arrived  at  Oxford,  and 
was  cordially  received  by  the  Rev.  Father  Benson.  As  he 
had  been  in  America,  his  guest  was  freely  talking  concern- 
ing the  state  of  American  parishes.  Not  then  aware  of 
"  silence  "  during  a  retreat,  Father  Benson,  who  had  tem- 
porarily left  some  duty  to  receive  his  guest,  in  a  kind  tone 
said,  "  I  will  show  you  to  your  cell f  Had  he  been  ar- 
rested ?  Only  his  tongue;  but  his  knowledge  was  increased. 
He  learned,  first,  that  clerical  retreats  are  not  designed  for 
social  entertainment  or  secular  conversation  ;  for  talking 
about  what  High  and  Low  Church  bishops  sanction  in 
America  was  not  considered  religious  conversation.  He 
learned,  second,  that  during  the  celebrations  meditations, 
private  and  united  prayers,  and  the  valuable  instructions 
Father  Benson  daily  gave,  caused  the  mind  to  soar  above, 
and  the  heart  to  more  fervently  worship,  the  Holy  Trinity. 
He  learned,  third,  that  not  to  indulge  in  worldly  conversa- 


WHY  THE  EVANGELIST  LEFT  CENTRAL  NEW  YORK.  II. 


tion  during  the  retreat  was  not  a  cross,  but  a  holy  pleasure. 
Churchmen  who  denounce  retreats  have  the  prayerful 
sympathy  of  those  who  at  retreats  have  received  great  and 
lasting  blessing.  When  the  retreat  ended  there  were 
mutual  introductions  and  friendly  greetings.  After  the 
clergy  who  had  been  present  reached  their  homes  they 
doubtless  made  it  convenient  to  devote  more  time  to  self- 
examination  and  to  personal  private  devotion. 

Concerning  the  great  Prelent  Mission  a  series  of  let- 
ters were  speedily  sent  to  the  Church  Journal.  Important 
parts  were  extracted  and  gave  "the  good  tidings  from 
abroad"  a  wider  circulation.  Not  long  ago  their  writer,  in 
examining  the  index  of  an  encyclopaedia,  noticed  the  head- 
ing, "  Parish  Missions."  He  concluded  to  read  the 
article,  but  found  that  the  nameless  paragraphs  the 
reader  had  written.  .  .  .  The  following  extract  is  part 
of  one  of  his  letters  from  London,  which  the  editor  of  a 
New  York  church  paper  ventured  to  publish  : 

"  London,  February  12,  1874. 

"The  bishops  who  recommended  the  Prelent- Mission, 
not  to  repeat  the  mistakes  of  their  predecessors  in  regard  to 
the  revival  under  Wesley  and  Whitefield,  wisely  declined  to 
lay  down  special  rules  for  the  conduct  of  the  missioners, 
trusting  to  the  loyalty  of  the  clergy  to  use  means  in 
accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Church.  The  bishops  of 
London,  Winchester  and Rochcste?  issued  a  reply  to  a  memorial 
against  the  approaching  mission  being  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  propagating  "  the  confessional  system."  Different 
classes  of  churchmen  are  pleased  that  the  bishops  will 
not  sanction  the  introduction  of  Nonconformist  ministers 
into  church  pulpits  during  the  mission,  and  that  they  will 
not  sanction  '  sacramental  confession.'  Yet  they  do  not 
wish   '  to  restrain   the  liberty  necessary  to   make  the  mis- 


14fi  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

sion  suit  the  different  characters  and  needs  of  the  various 
parishes.'  As  the  public  mind  is  excited,  not  respecting 
the  commission  of  sin,  but  the  confession  thereof,  the  bishops 
wisely  say  :  '  We  were,  of  course,  aware  that  whenever 
the  conscience  is  awakened,  and  sinners  are  asking  what 
they  must  do  to  be  saved,  recourse  will  often  be  had  to 
clergymen  privately  for  their  comfort  and  counsel,  and 
that,  if  God  grants  His  blessing,  confession  in  this  sense 
may  be,  and  we  hope  will  be,  frequently  the  result  of  the 
mission  ;  but  such  confession  as  this — the  legitimate  and 
natural  outpouring  of  a  heart  touched  by  a  sense  of  sin 
and  desirous  of  restoration — has  little  in  common  with,  and 
is  not  likely,  we  believe,  to  lead  to,  the  practice  of  Jiabitual 
and  "  sacramental  confession  "  taught  as  the  remedy  for 
the  post-baptismal  sin  or  the  rule  of  a  holy  life."  .  .  . 
The  Church  of  England  is  lifting  her  voice  like  a  trumpet, 
and  showing  the  people  their  transgressions,  and  the  House 
of  Israel  their  sins.  In  her  great  Cathedral,  surrounded  by 
the  devotees  of  Mammon,  above  the  rumbling  of  the  wheels 
of  commerce,  sounding  like  the  ocean's  roar,  a  clarion  voice 
is  sounding  :  i  For  what  is  a  man  profited  if  he  shall  gain  the 
whole  worlds  and  lose  his  own  soul  I '  And  merchants  who 
have  left  their  business  for  an  hour  at  noon  hear  of  the 
perishable  nature  of  all  things  earthly,  and  are  urged  to 
set  their  affections  on  things  above."  *** 


THE  NATIONAL   THANKSGIVING  IN  ST.  PAUL'S*    \Y 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    NATIONAL    THANKSGIVING    IN    ST.    PAUL'S,    LONDON. 

Aphearancc  of  the  Cathedral — Persons  who  were  Present — II is 
Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  Preaches — The  Sermon 
— A  Bri  f  Extract — Service  the  Next  Sunday. 

Bishop  Stevens  said  the  author  would  "  possibly  be 
unable  to  obtain  a  ticket  of  admission"  after  his  arrival  in 
London.  When  in  Venice  he  wrote  to  Canon  Gregory 
to  kindly  retain  a  ticket  for  him,  and  he  did  so  ;  and  the 
author  sincerely  thanked  him. 

Five  hours  before  the  appointed  time  for  service  the 
favored  ticket-holders  began  to  assemble.  When  the  seats 
in  the  nave,  and  aisles,  and  under  the  dome,  and  in  the 
choir,  and  in  the  temporary  galleries,  erected  tier  above 
tier,  were  filled,  the  scene  baffled  description.  If  the 
reader  will  imagine  that  he  has  been  favored  with  a  ticket 
and  has  entered  through  the  western  door,  and  look 
straight  across  the  nave  to  the  end  of  the  apse,  a  distance 
of  five  hundred  feet,  he  will  see,  in  a  place  of  honor  by  the 
altar,  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  presence 
gives  great  pleasure  to  the  magnates  present,  that  the 
American  Church  has  an  honored  representative  at  this 
important  service. 

In  the  stalls  of  the  choirs  are  the  canons  and  prebenda- 
ries of  the  Cathedral,  and  the  members  of  convocation.  On 
the  rows  of  seats  in  front  are  the  representative  clergy  of 
rural    deaneries    and    of    charitable    bodies.      In    the    gal- 


148  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

leries  above  the  stalls,  on  each  side  of  the  choir,  are  the 
honored  friends  of  the  dean  and  chapter.  At  the  end  of 
the  stalls,  near  the  line  of  the  dome,  under  the  new 
organs,  are  the  two  hundred  and  fifty  celebrated  choris- 
ters. The  temporary  galleries  in  the  transepts,  and  the 
sides  of  the  nave,  and  the  tiers  over  the  western  en- 
trance are  occupied  by  a  brilliant  assemblage.  In  the  gal- 
leries of  the  north  and  south  bays  are  the  members  of  the 
Queen's  household,  and  the  one  in  the  southeast  aisle  is 
occupied  by  members  of  the  press.  On  the  right  and  left 
of  the  western  entrance  are  the  mayors  and  provosts  of 
the  British  realm.  On  the  north  and  south  of  the  mayors 
are  the  representatives  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  the 
Queen's  aides-de-camp.  The  south  transept  of  the  nave 
is  occupied  by  members  of  the  learned  bodies,  and  the  one 
on  the  north  by  the  corporation  of  the  city  and  the  Metro- 
politan Board  of  Works.  On  the  seats  right  and  left  of 
the  aisle,  across  the  rear  of  the  dome,  are  the  peers  of  the 
realm  and  members  of  the  House  of  Commons.  In  the 
area  of  the  dome  beyond  the  circle  are  Lord-lieutenants, 
the  Corps  Diplomatic,  and  distinguished  foreigners.  Thir- 
teen thousand  souls  now  await  the  arrival  of  the  Royal 
Family,  and  the  plainness  of  the  vast  Cathedral  is  now 
neutralized  by  the  presence  of  the  distinguished  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  representatives  of  the  nation — including 
Lieutenants  and  Admirals,  Honorables  and  Right  Hon- 
orables,  Lords  and  Ladies,  Viscounts  and  Viscountesses, 
Earls  and  Countesses,  Marquises  and  Marchionesses,  Peers 
and  Peeresses,  Dukes  and  Duchesses,  Princes  and  Prin- 
cesses, Bishops  and  Archbishops.  The  black  gowns  and 
hoods  of  the  clergy,  the  scarlet  robes  of  the  members  of 
convocation,  the  pure  white  lawn  of  the  bishops  and  sur- 
plices of  the  choristers,  the  dazzling  insignia  of  the  civil 
magnates   of  the   nation,   with   the  variegated   costume  of 


THE  NATIONAL   THANKSGIVING  IN  ST.  PAUL'S.    IV.) 


the  galaxy  of  ladies,  present  a  scene  of  unusual  brill- 
iancy. 

The  last  joyful  strains  of  the  national  anthem  performed 
on  the  new  organ  by  Mr.  Cooper  die  away.  During  a 
few  seconds  of  solemn  pause  twenty-five  thousand  eyes 
are  again  intently  gazing  toward  the  royal  pew,  beholding 
in  the  centre  the  Queen  of  England  ;  on  her  right  the 
Prince  of  Wales  ;  en  the  left  the  Princess  of  Wales  ;  on 
the  right  of  the  Prince  his  little  son,  Prince  Albert  Victor, 
Prince  Arthur,  and  the  Duke  of  Edinburgh  ;  and  on  the 
left  of  the  Princess  of  Wales  her  younger  son,  Princess 
Beatrice,  Prince  Leopold,  and  the  Duke  of  Cambridge. 
The  talented  choristers,  selected  from  the  Temple  Church, 
Lincoln  Inn,  the  Royal  Chapels,  Provincial  Cathedrals,  and 
Westminster  Abbey,  with  the  choir  of  St.  Paul's,  attired 
in  pure  white,  blend  in  beautiful  contrast  with  the  bright 
colors  of  the  surrounding  assembly,  and,  as  if  about  to  as- 
cend from  earth,  now  rise  to  sing  the  Te  Deum  to  the  an- 
tiphonal  music  prepared  for  the  occasion  by  Mr.  Goss, 
afterward  "  Sir  Charles  Goss."  As  they  sing,  accompanied 
by  rich  organ  strains, 

"  We  praise  Thee,  O  God, 

We  acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord," 

the  heart  of  the  mighty  congregation  throbs  with  gratitude 
to  God  that,  in  answer  to  the  nation's  prayer,  He  has 
graciously  saved  the  life  of  the  Queen's  first-born  son, 
heir-apparent  to  the  throne. 

The  Versicles,  Lord's  Prayer,  Prayers  for  the  Queen  and 
Royal  Family,  the  General  Thanksgiving,  and  the  Special 
Thanksgiving  Prayer  prepared  by  the  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, are  said  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Coward,  whose  rich 
and  clear  voice  can  be  distinctly  heard  in  every  part  of  the 
vast  Cathedral.     At  the  close  of  the  special    prayers  the 


150  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


organ  sounds  the  prelude  to  the  anthem  taken  from  Psalm 
118:  14,  21,  and  28.  The  music  was  composed  by  Mr. 
Goss,  and  has  been  described  as  jubilant  without  vulgarity, 
graceful  without  excess  of  sentiment,  and  exactly  the 
music  for  the  occasion. 

The  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  read  for  his  text,  "  Every 
one  members  one  of  another" — Rom.  12  :  5.  His  sermon 
was  brief,  comprehensive,  and  appropriate. 

The  Archbishop  in  closing  said  :  "  Brethren,  does  not 
experience  teach  that  nations — if  such  there  be — which 
have  no  religion  have  lost  the  only  sure  bond  and  stay  of 
vital  life  ?  We  Englishmen,  thank  God,  love  the  Church.  I 
speak  not  before  this  great  assembly  for  any  party  divisions. 
It  was  one  of  the  most  marked  features  of  our  late  anxiety 
that  in  the  broad  circuit  of  the  British  Empire  many  joined 
in  our  prayers  who  scarcely  knew  the  God  to  whom  we 
prayed  ;  and  none  were  more  hearty  in  their  prayers  than 
God's  ancient  people.  We  trust  a  time  is  coming  when 
all  the  races  of  the  Empire  may  be  one  in  faith,  as  we  have 
been  proved  to  be  one  in  loyalty.  But  already  to-day, 
among  us  Christians,  it  is  felt  that  in  united  prayers  and 
thanksgivings  we  are  one.  God,  perhaps,  intended  this  les- 
son. It  was  very  common  in  State  prayers  of  old,  as  I  find 
from  the  forms  preserved  at  Lambeth,  to  speak  of  our 
unhappy  divisions.  Perhaps  this  common  call  to  national 
prayer  has  been  sent  now  to  make  us  think  of  a  happier 
union.  We  Englishmen,  thank  God,  speaking  generally, 
all  love  the  Church  of  God.  We  believe  in  God.  We 
know  He  watches  over  us  in  sorrow  and  in  joy.  We 
desire  to  make  His  law  our  rule  of  action.  We  Christians 
of  England  thank  Him  for  the  consolations  He  has  pro- 
vided for  us  in  our  anxieties  through  the  birth,  death, 
ascension,  and  living  intercession  of  His  Son.  We  of  the 
Church   of   England    prize  our  own    forms    and    our  own 


THE  NATIONAL    THANKSGIVING  IN  ST.  PAUL'S.  151 

beliefs,.and  hold  them  to  be  best  for  our  own  souls  and  for 
the  nation  ;  but,  be  our  own  form  of  Christian  worship 
what  it  may,  we  all  unite  in  this,  that  we  acknowledge 
God  to  be  our  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  our 
Saviour  ;  and  we  gather  now  in  Christ's  temple  to  record 
our  thankfulness  for  a  great  national  mercy,  and  to  ex- 
press in  the  most  solemn  way— while  we  pay  allegiance  to 
our  earthly  sovereign,  and  speak  of  our  reverence  and 
love  to  her  person  and  family — that  we  look  upward  for 
her,  for  those  who  are  dear  to  her,  for  ourselves,  for  our 
families,  and  for  the  body  politic,  to  the  King  eternal,  im- 
mortal, invisible,  who  controls  all  the  events  of  our  indi- 
vidual, and  family,  and  national  life.  The  Church  of 
Christ  is  for  all  ranks,  ages,  races.  Praise  be  to  God  in 
Christ,  we  all,  rich  and  poor,  have  learned  to  be  united. 
The  poorest,  we  have  said,  joined  with  the  richest  lately 
in  prayer.  If  they  are  not  here  with  us  to-day  they  are 
thanking  God,  as  we  are.  Such  a  day  makes  us  feel  truly 
that  we  are  '  members  one  of  another.' 

The  Thanksgiving  Hymn,  composed  for  the  occasion  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  was  sung  to  the  familiar  tune,  "  Au- 
relia,"  for  "Jerusalem  the  Golden  :" 

"  O  Thou,  our  souls'  salvation  ! 

Our  Hope  for  earthly  weal  ! 
We,  who  in  tribulation 

Did  for  Thy  mercy  kneel, 
Lift  up  glad  hearts  before  Thee, 

And  eyes  no  longer  dim, 
And  for  Thy  grace  adore  thee 

In  eucharistic  hymn. 

"  Forth  went  the  nation  weeping 
With  precious  seed  of  prayer, 
Hope's  awful  vigil  keeping 
'Mid  rumors  of  despair  ; 


152  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Then  did  Thy  love  deliver  ! 

And  from  Thy  gracious  hand 
Joy,  like  the  southern  river, 

O'erflowed  the  weary  land. 

"  Bless  Thou  our  adoration  ! 

Our  gladness  sanctify  ! 
Make  this  rejoicing  nation 

To  Thee  by  joy  more  nigh  ; 
O  be  this  great  Thanksgiving 

Throughout  the  land  we  raise 
Wrought  into  holier  living 

In  all  our  after  days  ! 

"  Bless,  Father,  him  Thou  gavest 

Back  to  the  loyal  land  ; 
O  Saviour,  him  Thou  savest 

Still  cover  with  Thine  hand. 
O  Spirit,  the  Defender, 

Be  his  to  guard  and  guide 
Now,  in  life's  midday  splendor, 

On  to  the  eventide  !" 

The  Archbishop  pronounced  the  benediction.  The 
solemn  and  joyful  Thanksgiving  service  has  ended.  The 
royal  procession  is  re-forming.  Ringing  bells  sound  forth 
peals  of  joyfulness.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  loyal  sub- 
jects enthusiastically  greet  the  Queen  and  Prince  of  Wales 
as  they  pass  through  a  new  route  of  gayly  decorated  streets 
back  to  the  Royal  Palace. 

Very  brief  descriptions  of  the  grand  occasion  filled  col- 
umn after  column  cf  the  largest  newspapers  ;  while  page 
after  page  was  filled  with  glowing  accounts  of  the  brill- 
iant illumination  of  the  streets  of  London  during  the 
night,  decking  the  vast  city  as  in  a  stream  of  light.  Such 
a  day  and  night  of  sober  joyfulness  will  be  long  remem- 
bered. The  nation  wept  when  the  sovereign  wept,  when 
royal  ones  had  been  delivered  from  affliction  rejoiced.     The 


THE  NATIONAL   THANKSGIVING  IN  ST.   PAUL'S.    153 


bond  of  sympathy   between   the   Queen  and  her  subjects 
will  be  stronger  than  ever. 

On  the  following  Sunday  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  was  filled 
by  those  anxious  to  hear  the  Thanksgiving  Te  Deum  re- 
peated, and  a  special  sermon  preached  by  the  Right  Rev. 
the  Bishop  of  Rochester.  The  liturgical  service  was  very 
effectively  rendered,  and  the  Creed  and  Responses  uttered 
by  the  thousands  of  persons  present,  led  by  the  large 
choir,  sounded  like  the  climax  of  earthly  worship.  The 
sermon  was  based  on  i  Sam.  17  :  29,  and  was  earnestly  de- 
livered. The  Bishop  expressed  the  hope  that  the  coldness 
and  carelessness  that  for  a  time  characterized  the  render- 
ing of  our  service  have  passed  away  never  to  return.  At 
the  close  of  the  service  an  offering  was  received  for  the 
Cathedral  Decoration  Fund.  The  Queen  had  subscribed 
;£iooo,  and  the  Prince  of  Wales  ^500. 


154: 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

ADVENT    SERMONS    IN    ST.   PAUL'S    CATHEDRAL. 

The  author  had  been  a  guest  of  a  rich  friend  in  Bedford- 
shire, but  he  was  excused  from  remaining  longer  at  that 
time,  as  he  desired  to  return  to  London  while  Canon 
Liddon  was  "  in  residence.''  The  season  of  Advent  was 
one  of  unusual  interest,  and  will  be  long  remembered. 
Special  missions  were  held  in  several  churches,  daily  ser- 
vices in  many,  and  sermons  on  Christ's  Advent  in  glorious 
majesty  preached  in  nearly  all.  The  illness  of  the  Prince 
of  Wales  caused  the  people  to  listen  with  unusual  attention 
to  discourses  on  the  solemnities  of  the  Day  of  Judgment, 
and  the  strictness  of  the  account  that  each  must  then  ren- 
der. So  great  was  the  interest  to  hear  the  series  preached 
by  Canon  Liddon  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  that  nearly  two 
hours  before  the  time  for  service  people  began  to  assemble. 
Within  a  few  moments  after  the  doors  were  opened  every 
seat  was  taken,  and  when  service  commenced  the  aisles 
between  the  seats  beneath  the  vast  dome,  a  portion  of  the 
nave,  and  every  standing-place  within  hearing  distance  was 
crowded.  Canon  Liddon  sometimes  preached  to  between 
six  and  seven  thousand  persons,  who  listened  to  his  words 
with  breathless  attention,  not  venturing  to  cough,  except 
at  the  intervals  when  he  took  a  little  water. 


THE    SOCIAL    AND    POLITICAL    FUTURE    OF    CHRISTIANITY. 

Canon  Liddon' s  series  of  lectures  to  young  men  on  this 
subject,   delivered  on   Tuesday  evenings,    were    also  well 


ADVENT  SERMONS  IX  ST.  PAUVS  CATHEDRAL.    165 

attended,  and  produced  a  deep  impression.  His  descrip- 
tions of  the  conflicts  and  triumphs  of  Christianity  for 
eighteen  centuries  were  eloquent  and  inspiring.  His  allu- 
sions to  the  doctrines,  and  polity,  and  history  of  Christ's 
Church  showed  that  he  has  studied  Christianity  in  all  its 
aspects.  Having  traced  the  history  of  the  Church,  and 
the  difficulties  to  be  faced,  as  illustrated  by  the  writings 
of  Tertullian,  St.  Cyprian,  St.  Chrysostom,  and  other 
Church  Fathers,  Canon  Liddon  came  down  to  that  time 
when  slavery  was  abolished,  which  he  viewed  as  the  great- 
est triumph  achieved  since  the  time  of  our  Saviour.  The 
abolition  had  come  about  by  degrees.  To  their  honor, 
the  Popes  had  opposed  slavery  ;  so  in  England  had  the 
Quakers  ;  in  1794  the  French  Convention  abolished  it  in 
all  French  colonies.  The  American  war  brought  the  work 
to  a  conclusion,  and  this  was  the  triumph  of  Christianity  in 
the  nineteenth  century.  As  Christianity  had  been  from  the 
first  not  less  opposed  to  aggressive  war  than  slavery,  was 
it  too  much  to  hope,  in  view  of  our  recent  Treaty  with 
America,  that  a  time  might  come,  even  to  the  States  of  cen- 
tral Europe,  when  differences  that  were  now  settled  by  the 
sword  would  be  settled  by  arbitration  through  the  gradual 
advance  of  Christian  principle  ?  The  instructive  and  faith- 
inspiring  series  of  lectures  were  closed  by  an  eloquent  ap- 
peal to  all  present  to  illustrate  in  their  daily  life  the  un- 
changing love  of  Christ.  It  was  interesting  to  see  the  vast 
multitude  of  men  listening  with  breathless  attention,  and 
inspiring  to  hear  them  recite  the*  Apostles'  Creed  after 
each  lecture,  when  "  I  Believe  in  God,  the  Father 
Almighty,"  resounded  through  the  Cathedral  as  in  a  tone 
of  thunder. 

The  interesting  course  of  lectures  delivered  by  Canon 
Gregory  on  "Are  we  Better  than  our  Fathers?" 
were  published.     During  the  month  of  January   a  course 


156  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

was  delivered  on  "  The  Ethics  of  Buddhism  cuid  Moham- 
medanism Compared"  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Claughton, 
Archdeacon  of  London.  The  inauguration  of  the  Young 
Men's  Weekly  Soiree  was  held  in  the  Chapter  House,  in- 
creasing their  interest  in  the  services  of  the  Cathedral 
and  in  each  other. 

WESTMINSTER  ABBEY. 

On  Innocents'  Day,  December  28th,  the  Very  Rev.  Dean 
Stanley  preached  a  sermon  to  children.  Though  the  day 
was  rainy  and  the  streets  quite  muddy,  when  service  com- 
menced not  an  unoccupied  seat  could  be  found,  or  comfort- 
able standing-room  within  hearing  distance.  The  litur- 
gical service  was  led  by  Canon  Troutbeck,  who  has  a  voice 
of  unsurpassed  clearness  and  richness.  Dean  Stanley  read 
the  lessons — 1  Sam.  3  and  St.  Luke  2  :  40-52.  The  an- 
them was  Ecclesiastes  12,  verses  1  and  13,  and  the  music  by 
Professor  Sir  William  Steendale  Bennett,  consisting  of  a 
duet  for  treble  voices  and  full  chorus.  Before  the  sermon 
the  choir  and  congregation  sang — 

"  Jesus,  meek  and  gentle, 
Son  of  God  most  high, 
Pitying,  loving  Saviour, 

Hear  Thy  children's  cry,"  etc. 

Dean  Stanley  read  as  his  text  St.  Luke  2  :  40  :  "  The 
child  grew,  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit,  filled  with  wisdom  ; 
and  the  grace  of  God  was  upon  Him."  Having  set  forth 
that  Innocents'  Day  is  Wstorically  famous  in  the  annals  of 
Westminster  Abbey,  for  on  that  day,  eight  hundred  years 
ago,  it  was  finished  by  King  Edward  the  Confessor  ;  and 
then  explained  that  the  Psalter  and  lessons  had  been 
selected  with  special  reference  to  the  children  present — 
that  the  8th  Psalm  showed  how  they  might  find  God  out  in 
nature  ;  the   15th   teaching  them  to  be  humble,  pure  and 


ADVENT  SERMONS  TN  ST.  PAUL'S  CATHEDRAL.     157 

honorable  ;  the  127th  telling  parents  what  gifts  their  chil- 
dren were  to  them  ;  the  anthem  putting  before  them  the 
whole  duty  of  man  ;  the  hymn  showing  how  the  youngest 
might  come  to  Christ  ;  the  first  lesson  presenting  the 
child  Samuel  waiting  for  God's  voice  ;  the  second  setting 
before  them  Christ  in  childhood — the  learned  Dean  then 
showed  that  there  were  three  noteworthy  stages  in  Christ's 
education,  each  adding  to  His  childish  powers.  First,  He 
"grew  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit."  Second  came  wis- 
dom. Thirdly  there  came  grace.  The  Dean's  amplifica- 
tions and  applications  of  the  leading  points  referred  to 
my  limits  exclude.  In  closing  he  urged  the  children  to 
look  up  to  God  as  their  Father,  and  on  their  school-fellows 
and  companions  as  brothers,  and  to  look  on  their  younger 
companions  as  under  their  protection.  He  showed  that 
any  unkindness  done  to  a  little  companion,  or  brother  or 
sister,  is  remembered  by  them  for  years  ;  whilst  kindness 
from  a  stronger  to  a  weaker  boy  is  equally  treasured  up. 
Having  mentioned  that  the  grace  of  childhood  grows  to 
the  grace  of  manhood,  and  the  grace  of  manhood  to  the 
grace  of  age,  and  all  into  the  grace  of  God  Most  High  ; 
and  set  forth  that,  as  the  beautiful  Abbey  is  composed  of  a 
number  of  small  stones  beautifully  carved,  every  one  of 
which  is  essential  to  the  grace  and  beauty  of  the  whole,  so 
what  is  good  and  beautiful  in  the  world  is  made  up  of  the 
graces  and  goodnesses,  not  only  of  men  and  women,  but  of 
little  children — the  Dean  closed  by  urging  the  children 
present,  if  ever  tempted  to  do  wrong,  to  be  idle,  to  be 
rude,  to  be  careless,  to  neglect  their  prayers,  to  be  dis- 
obedient or  unkind,  to  think  of  the  good  example  of  the 
Saviour  which  had  been  that  day  placed  before  them.  After 
the  benediction  the  organ  pealed  forth  the  Hallelujah 
Chorus,  and  slowly  and  silently  the  vast  congregation 
passed  out  through  the  dim  aisles  and  silent  cloisters  ;  and 


158  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

it  has  been  hinted  that  more  than  one  of  the  grown-up 
portion,  impressed  by  the  simple  words  just  listened  to, 
thought,  perhaps,  what  mistakes  in  after-life  might  have 
been  avoided  had  such  been  the  fashion,  in  their  golden 
age  of  childhood,  of  keeping  Innocents'  Day. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Dean  Stanley  the  author  was 
invited  to  take  tea  with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  guests, 
who  had  been  invited  to  the  capacious  drawing-rooms  of 
the  Deanery  after  the  services  in  the  Cathedral.  The  oc- 
casion was  one  of  great  interest,  and  all  seemed  joyful. 
The  Dean  and  his  excellent  wife  spared  no  pains  to  make 
the  guests  feel  at  home.  Before  dispersing  we  were  invited 
to  visit  the  library.  The  Dean  took  pleasure  in  explaining 
its  origin,  and  the  names  and  ages  of  the  busts,  etc.,  that 
adorned  it.  The  Very  Rev.  Dean  and  Lady  Augusta 
Stanley  now  rest  in  Paradise. 


A  BRIEF  VISIT  TO   THE  CONTINENT  01  EUROPE,   L69 


CHAPTER   X. 

A  BRIEF  VISIT   TO  THE  CONTINENT  OF  EUROPE. 

"Sunny  Italy " — St.  Peters,  Rome — The  Coliseum — The 
American  Church — Naples  and  Vesuvius — Pompeii  and  Her- 
culaneum —  Venice — Flore?ice  —Bishop  Stevens 's  Visit  Appre- 
ciated—  The  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Stevens  in  Paris — A  Pleasant 
Interview. 

Soon  after  the  last  of  the  able  series  of  Advent  sermons 
preached  by  Canon  Liddon  the  author  visited  some  of 
the  cities  of  the  continent  of  Europe.  In  the  American 
Episcopal  Chapel,  Rome,  he  assisted  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nevins  ; 
visited  the  Coliseum  by  daylight  and  by  moonlight  ;  also 
St.  Peter's,  and  other  churches  and  picture-galleries,  and 
the  principal  places  of  interest.     He  next  visited  Naples, 

"  The  garden  of  the  world,  the  home 
Of  all  Art  yields,  and  Nature  can  decree  !" 

In  Naples,  from  the  lofty  castle  Saint  Elmo,  he  obtained  a 
fascinating  panoramic  view  of  its  world-renowned  bay, 
with  its  promontories  and  islands  and  adjacent  villages,  as 
well  as  of  its  crowded  streets,  and  palaces,  and  churches, 
and  the  numerous  dwellings  built  on  the  natural  slopes 
which  rise  amphitheatre-like  from  the  sea.  In  the  Cathe- 
dral he  saw  the  chapel  dedicated  to  St.  Januarius,  of  Bene- 
vento,  said  to  have  been  exposed  to  the  lions  in  the  am- 
phitheatre of  Porsuli  by  order  of  Diocletian  but  as   they 


160  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

crouched  submissively  at  his  feet  he  was  afterward  be- 
headed. The  chapel  has  eight  altars,  forty-two  columns, 
costly  gold  and  marble  decorations,  and  several  oil  paint- 
ings and  frescoes.  The  silver  bust  of  the  saint  is  in  the 
sacristy;  and  two  vessels  preserved  in  the  tabernacle  of 
the  high  altar  are  said  to  contain  his  blood.  But  as  it 
was  not  on  the  first  Sunday  in  May,  nor  September  19th, 
nor  December  16th,  he  did  not  see  the  blood  liquefy  ! 
Though  high  mass  was  being  celebrated,  some  one  in  the 
cathedral  picked  a  friend's  pocket,  and  as  on  our  way 
out  we  saw  men  confessing  he  hoped  that  the  thief  was 
one  .of  the  number. 

STREET    LIFE    IN    NAPLES 

is  amusing  and  repulsive,  and  luxury  and  want,  gorgeous- 
ness  and  wretchedness,  beauty  and  deformity,  strangely 
meet  in  most  striking  contrast.  On  the  author's  way  to 
Portisi,  for  a  distance  of  several  miles  he  witnessed  a 
motley  scene,  and  saw  horses  and  bullocks  yoked  together 
drawing  vehicles,  men  guiding  horses  and  donkeys  laden 
with  vegetables  by  holding  their  tails,  women  cooking  in 
front  of  their  dwellings,  men  roasting  chestnuts,  workmen 
drying  macaroni,  women  using  flat  stones  for  washboards, 
some  sewing,  some  spinning,  some  holding  babies  dressed 
like  mummies  to  keep  their  feet  warm,  some  combing  each 
other's  hair,  peddlers  shouting  their  cheap  wares,  while 
soldiers  and  sailors,  priests  and  friars,  venders  and  pur- 
chasers, street  musicians  and  dancers,  and  dirty  men, 
ragged  women,  and  half-naked  children  move  lazily  on- 
ward, or  elbow  and  jostle  each  other  to  obtain  a  good 
view  of  any  striking  sight  or  any  street  fray. 

The  motley  crowd  described  presents  the  extreme  coun- 
terpart of  what  may  be  seen  in  the  Villa  Reale,  or  Royal 
Gardens,  where   multitudes   in   gorgeous   attire,  in   costly 


A  BRIEF  VISIT   TO    THE  CONTINENT  OF  EUROPE.  J(il 


equipage  follow  the  line  of  palatial  residences  of  the  Chidia 
and  excite  the  admiration  of  the  multitudes  who  prome- 
nade the  broad  avenue  of  the  garden  with  its  beautiful 
plants,  and  flowers,  and  trees,  and  marble  seats,  and  costly 
statuary.  Leaving  behind  the  wretchedness  and  gorgeous- 
ness  of  life  in  Naples,  he  reached 

THE    CITY    OF    THE    DEAD 

— Po?npeii — and  visited  the  temples  and  palaces  and  villas 
and  houses  and  shops  whose  occupants  eighteen  centuries 
since  were  suddenly  overwhelmed  in  a  death  shower  of 
ashes.  In  the  museum  on  the  spot  he  saw  a  skeleton,  a 
petrified  body  in  an  attitude  of  agony,  and  several  other 
unsightly  relics.  In  the  museum  at  Naples  he  saw  the 
skull  and  arm  of  a  woman  found  in  the  house  of  Diomede, 
the  marriage  ring  and  jewels  of  his  wife,  the  stocks  in 
which  the  skeletons  of  the  prisoners  were  found,  the 
pigments  of  the  painter,  the  instruments  of  the  surgeon, 
the  measures  of  the  wine-seller,  the  dice  of  the  gambler, 
loaves  of  bread  found  in  the  baker's  oven,  cooking 
utensils,  musical  instruments,  mosaics,  bronzes,  coins, 
pictures,  articles  for  domestic  use,  and  casts  that  give  the 
attitude  and  dress  of  the  people  when  mothers  in  agony 
grasped  their  children,  and  children  groped  for  their 
parents,  and  wives  clung  to  their  husbands,  and  masters 
and  servants  perished  suddenly  together.  On  the  road  back 
to  Naples  he  visited 

HERCULANEUM. 

Preceded  by  a  guide,  he  passed  through  long  and  gloomy 
passages  till  he  reached  the  theatre,  and  saw  its  auditorium, 
and  orchestra,  and  entered  its  green-room,  and  stood  on  its 
stage.  As  the  excavations  are  all  underground,  and  the 
thick  mass  of  lava  in  which  the  city  is  buried  is  almost 
hard  as  flint,  the  disinterment  of  Herculaneum   is  a  slow 


162  THE    CHURCH-  REVIVED. 

and  laborious  work.  Solemn  were  our  thoughts  as  we 
wandered  through  the  gloomy  passages  already  cut  through 
the  solid  lava  and  saw  the  dark  cerements  of  death. 

To  see  the  crater  from  which  the  lava  poured  that  buried 
multitudes  in  burning  graves,  the  author  resolved  to  ascend 

MOUNT    VESUVIUS. 

At  Resina  he  secured  a  guide,  and  after  a  fatiguing  walk 
over  rugged  roads,  sides  of  vineyards,  and  a  desolate  wil- 
derness of  lava  of  every  conceivable  shape,  he  reached  the 
base  of  the  cone,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  heavy  stick  climbed 
to  the  top  of  Vesuvius.  During  the  ascent  he  heard  the 
internal  rumblings  resembling  imprisoned  thunders  roar- 
ing to  escape,  also  the  crashings  of  falling  portions  of  the 
summit,  and  saw  pieces  of  expelled  burning  scoria  rolling 
down  the  sides  of  the  fiery  mountain.  Much  exhausted  he 
reached  the  summit,  and  saw  the  yawning  mouth  from 
which  the  stream  of  lava  flowed  that  immersed  Hercu- 
laneum,  and  the  death  shower  of  ashes  were  blown  that 
buried  Pompeii  from  sight  for  seventeen  centuries., 

"  Long  had  those  fires  of  heJl 

Peacefully  slumbered  ; 
Men  lived,  and  toiled,  and  loved, 

Years  none  had  numbered. 
Nqw  the  dread  doom  came  on, 

Sent  without  warning  : 
Sunk  in  the  night  of  death, 

Where  was  their  morning  ?" 

Before  leaving  Naples  for  Rome  he  visited  Puteoli, 
now  called  Pussoli — the  place  where  St.  Paul  landed 
when  a  prisoner  on  his  way  to  Rome  to  appeal  unto 
Caesar.  The  ruins  of  the  Temple  of  Serapis,  and  the 
mineral  springs  called  into  existence  by  the  last  volcanic 
eruption  are  also  objects  of  historic  interest. 


A  BRIEF  VISIT  TO   THE  CONTINENT  OF  EUROPl 


THE    AMERICAN    CHURCH    IN    FLORENCE. 

When  in  Florence  the  author  visited  the  ecclesiastical  and 
art  attractions  of  this  important  city.  The  services  of  our 
Church  are  held  in  an  old  chapel,  which  was  once  part  of 
the  adjacent  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Though  for  forty 
years  it  had  been  used  as  a  warehouse  for  timber  and  old 
iron,  and  when  secured  for  our  services  was  a  picture  of 
desolation,  with  its  orchestra  walled  off  for  a  bedroom,  its 
pavement  and  ceiling  in  ruins,  and  the  plastering  of  the 
walls  and  pilasters  destroyed,  it  is  now  a  comfortable  place 
for  worship.  What  was  dilapidated  has  been  simply  but 
attractively  restored.  Its  lofty  vaulted  ceiling  has  been 
tinted  a  light  blue,  and  its  walls  and  stuccoed  ornaments 
in  light  gray  and  fawn  colors.  In  the  rear  of  the  church  is 
the  old  raised  chancel,  with  a  fine  window,  and,  outside  the 
church,  the  new  sacristy  built  by  the  rector,  who  has  also 
paid  for  the  whole  of  the  restorations.  During  nine 
months  of  the  year,  since  the  congregation  was  organ- 
ized, services  have  never  been  once  intermitted.  Though 
the  amount  of  income  has  never  quite  reached  one 
thousand  dollars  per  annum,  out  of  which  rent  and  other 
incidental  expenses  have  to  be  paid,  the  rector  has  con. 
tinued  to  labor  with  great  patience  and  perseverance.  By 
special  request  of  the  rector  the  author  officiated  once  be- 
fore leaving  Florence,  and,  though  the  weather  was  threat- 
ening, and  the  Italian  carnival  at  its  height,  and  no  notice 
had  been  given  that  a  stranger  would  preach,  the  congrega- 
tion nearly  filled  the  chapel.  After  the  service  one  of 
"  Job's  comforters  "  said  to  the  preacher  :  "  You  cannot  begin 
to  preach  like  the  priest  whom  I  heard  in  one  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  churches  in  the  city  of  Rome."  He  did  not  under- 
stand the  language,  but  admired  the  eloquent  priest's 
earnest  and    graceful  gestures. 


164  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE  VISIT  OF    BISHOP  STEVENS 

gave  very  great  satisfaction  to  the  congregation  and  en- 
couragement to  the  rector.  His  eloquent  sermons  over- 
flowed with  the  Christian  love  that  the  hearers  were 
entreated  to  manifest  in  their  daily  life  and  conversation. 
When  the  Bishop  administered  the  Holy  Communion  up- 
ward of  seventy  persons  approached  the  Holy  Table.  At  a 
service  in  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Paris,  the  Rector 
alluded  to  the  profitable  ministrations  of  the  Bishop  of 
Pennsylvania.  As  he  had  not  left  the  city  the  author  had 
a  very  pleasant  interview  with  the  Bishop  and  his  excellent 
wife  :  and  as  he  had  labored  in  his  diocese  foi  over  five 
years,  to  talk  of  ''home,  sweet  home"'  was  mutually- 
agreeable. 


7/ E  P RELENT  CLERICAL   RETREAT  A 'J'  CO  1  I'LL  )'.    16 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE    PRELENT    CLERICAL    RETREAT    AT    COWLEY. 

The  Rev.  Father  Benson — The  Various  Services — The  Good 
Results — Consecration  of  the  Bishop-Elect — Services  in  Oxford 
Churches — The  Clerical  Retreat  in  St.  Raul's  Cathedral. 

The  Missioners'  Retreat  commenced  at  the  Mission 
House  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Cowley,  Oxford,  January 
26th,  and  closed  on  the  31st.  The  majority  of  the  "  re- 
treatants  "  were  missioners  or  evangelists  who  intended  to 
participate  in  the  London  Prelent  Mission.  Realizing  the 
importance  of  the  great  work  before  them,  they  met  in  re- 
treat for  retirement  and  devotion,  that  the  soul  might  reach 
a  higher  level,  and  be  brought  into  closer  communion  with 
God.  To  further  this  object  ten  special  services  were 
held  in  the  chapel  daily.  To  prevent  diversion  of  mind, 
at  each  meal  a  portion  of  Scripture  was  read,  and  no  one 
was  expected  to  engage  in  conversation  until  the  "  re- 
treat"  closed. 

In  connection  with  the  exercises  in  the  chapel,  able  ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Father  Benson,  M.A., 
on  the  following  topics  :  "  Preparation  for  the  Mission  ;" 
"The  Special  Call  of  God  to  Mission  Work;"  "The 
Necessity  of  Earnest  and  Confiding  Prayer  ;"  "  The  Reve- 
lation of  Christ  to  the  Preacher's  Own  Soul  the  Founda- 
tion of  Successful  Mission  Labors  ;"  "  The  Ministry  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  ;"  "The  Sinfulness  of  Man  as  Revealed 
to    Us,  in   Contrast,   by    the    Holy    Life  of  Jesus  •"   "  On 


166  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Preaching — it  is  the  Message  of  God  ;"  "  Detachment  of 
Life  for  the  Work  ;"  "  Confidence  that  God  will  Bless  It  ;" 
11  The  Dying  Condition  of  the  People  to  whom  we 
Preach  ;"  "  The  Nature  of  Man,  whose  Salvation  is  the 
Object  of  the  Mission  ;"  "  The  Mission  a  War  against  the 
Hosts  of  Satan  ;"  "  The  Virtues  of  the  Intellect  for  Suc- 
cessful Labor  are  Given  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ;"  "  Our 
Bodily  Deportment  should  Befit  the  Work  we  have  on 
Hand  ;"  "  The  Power  of  Christ  must  Surround  us  in  All  We 
Do  ;"  "  The  Moral  Virtues,  including  Prudence,  Justice, 
Fortitude,  Temperance,  Faith,  Love,  are  Made  Efficient 
by  the   Power  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

The  addresses  were  well  calculated  to  facilitate  the  object 
of  the  retreat — viz.,  to  incite  to  a  more  perfect  walk  with 
God  and  a  higher  order  of  personal  holiness.  It  is  vain 
for  us  to  stand  on  the  outside  of  this  Divine  life  and  say  to 
others,  "  Go  in."  We  must  go  forth  to  our  work  in  all 
the  supernatural  power  of  the  Divine  love,  and  what  we 
have  seen  and  heard  ourselves,  that  we  must  declare  unto 
others.  Through  the  daily  prayers,  and  holy  meditations, 
and  profitable  addresses,  devotion  was  deepened  and  zeal 
enkindled.  A  holy  quiet  reigned,  and  it  was  good  to  be 
there.  As  the  worldliness  of  the  age  and  cares  of  life 
combine  to  destroy  spirituality  of  mind,  and  the  eye  of  faith 
grows  dim  and  heaven  seems  far  distant,  an  occasional 
week  spent  in  holy  retreat  would  answer  the  prayer, 

"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  Thee, 
Xearer  lo   Thee!" 

Both  clergy  and  laity  need  special  seasons  for  self-examina- 
tion and  holy  meditation,  that  secularization  of  spirit  may 
be  neutralized  and  the  spirit  soar  in  a  higher  realm  — 

"  The  world  excluded,  every  passion  hushed, 
And  opened  a  calm  intercourse  with  heaven. 


THE  PRELENT  CLERICAL  RETREAT  AT  COWLEY.   lf>7 

Here  the  soul  sits  in  council,  ponders  past, 
Predestines  future  action  ;  sees,  not  feels 
Tumultuous  life,  and  reasons  with  the  storm  ; 
All  her  lies  answers,  and  thinks  down  her  charms." 

The  Bishop-elect  of  Gibraltar  was  present  at  the  "  re- 
treat," and  on  Septuagesima  Sunday,  February  ist,  the 
author  attended  service  at 

CHRIST    CHURCH    CATHEDRAL,    OXFORD, 

to  witness  his  consecration.  At  five  minutes  before  the 
appointed  time  for  service  the  Dean  and  canons  met  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  the  bishops  in  the  Cathe- 
dral hall.  The  procession  formed  as  follows  :  Choristers, 
two  and  two  ;  Lay-Clerks,  two  and  two  ;  Chaplains,  two 
and  two  ;  Canon's  Verger  ;  the  Dean  ;  the  Proctor  and 
Registrar  ;  the  Bishop-elect  ;  the  Vicar-General  ;  the 
Bishop's  Assistant  ;  Apparitor  ;  General  and  Secretary  ; 
the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  ;  Chaplains  of  the  Arch- 
bishop. The  Archbishop  proceeded  to  the  north  side  of 
the  Holy  Table,  the  Bishop's  assistants  to  places  appointed 
on  the  south  side,  and  the  Bishop-elect  to  a  place  on  the 
north. 

Morning  Prayer  having  been  said  at  an  earlier  service, 
the  Communion  service  was  begun  by  the  Archbishop. 
One  Bishop-Assistant  read  the  Gospel  and  another  the 
Epistle.  At  the  close  of  the  Nicene  Creed  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Liddell.  the  Dean  of  the  Cathedral,  was  conducted  to  the 
pulpit  by  his  verger.  The  Dean  preached  an  able  sermon 
appropriate  to  the  occasion,  and  containing  points  of  his- 
torical interest  that  the  limits  of  this  book  exclude.  The 
Dean  set  forth  the  judicious  instructions  of  Gregory  to 
Augustine  as  in  striking  contrast  with  the  arrogant  claims 
and  attitude  of  the  present  representative  of  Papal  infalli- 
bility, and  considered  it  a  good  omen  that  a  bishop  of  the 
Anglican  Church  is  now  needed  in  Madagascar. 


168  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

After  the  sermon  the  Canon's  verger  conducted  the 
Bishop-elect  to  the  vaulted  chamber,  where  he  put  on  his 
rochet.  During  his  absence  the  choir  sang  Mendelssohn's 
anthem,  "  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  He  shall 
sustain  thee."  At  the  conclusion  the  Bishop-elect  re- 
turned to  the  west  end  of  the  choir,  where  he  was  met  by 
the  presenting  bishop,  and  led  to  the  foot  of  the  altar 
steps.  The  Archbishop,  sitting  in  his  chair  in  front  of  the 
Holy  Table,  commenced  the  consecration  service.  The 
litany  was  melodiously  chanted  at  the  Faldstool.  When 
the  Archbishop  had  finished  the  questions  the  Bishop- 
elect  retired  to  put  on  his  Episcopal  robes.  During  his 
absence  the  hymn  was  sung, 

"  Rejoice,  to-day,  with  one  accord, 
Sing  out  with  exultation,"  etc. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  consecration  the  newly-conse- 
crated Bishop  took  his  place  beside  the  other  bishops. 
The  brilliant  attire  of  the  Archbishop  and  bishops,  and 
Doctors  in  Divinity,  and  the  long  double  lines  of  surpliced 
choristers  and  undergraduates,  made  the  scene  imposing. 
In  the  afternoon  the  author  attended  a  children's  service 
in  St.  Barnabas'  Church.  The  children  sang  heartily,  and 
seemed  well  instructed  in  the  Church  Catechism.  In  the 
evening  he  attended  service  at  St.  Pau.'s  Church,  which 
was  crowded  by  those  anxious  to  hear  a  sermon  by  the 
Rev.  R.  M.  Benson,  M.A.,  on  "  The  Death  of  the  Believer  : 
His  Consciousness  in  the  Intermediate  State,  and  his  Glori- 
fication when  Christ  shall  Come  in  Glory."  The  sermon 
was  earnest  and  eloquent,  the  whole  service  interesting, 
and  the  singing  thrilling.      The  mandate  was  obeyed — 

"  Let  the  people  praise  Thee,  O  God, 
Yea:  iet  all  the  people  praise  Thee  !" 


THE  PRE  LENT  CLERICAL  RETREAT  AT  COWLEY    MY. 


After  the  service  he  met  the  preacher,  and  the  vicars 
and  curates  of  St.  Barnabas'  and  St.  Paul's,  at  the  resi-. 
dence  of  Mrs.  Coomb,  the  widow  of  the  late  manager  of 
the  University  Press,  the  purchaser  of  the  original  paint- 
ing, "  Christ  Knocking  at  the  Door,"  by  Hunt,  and  who 
erected  St.  Barnabas'  Church  at  his  own  expense.  His 
widow  is  a  devoted  Christian,  and  spends  much  time  among 
the  poor,  going  about  doing  good.  She  had  been  reading 
with  much  interest  a  recently  published  work  on  the 
"  Nashotah  Mission,"  in  Wisconsin,  and  it  is  hoped  she 
may  be  led  to  give  financial  aid  to  that  important  institu- 
tion. 

The  day  preceding  the  great  mission  is  spent  as  a  day  of 
special  devotion  for  the  clergy  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 
Beneath  the  vast  dome  are  those  who  differ  respecting  the 
length,  and  shape,  and  color  of  clerical  vestments,  and  the 
degree  of  outward  reverence  befitting  the  sanctuary,  and 
who  hold  various  shades  of  opinion  concerning  doctrine 
and  polity — those  who  wear  surplices  and  those  who  pre- 
fer gowns — those  who  offer  their  devotions  facing  the 
chancel,  and  those  who  pray  with  their  backs  thereto, 
facing  the  Cathedral's  western  door — those  who  bow  only 
in  the  Creed,  and  those  who  bow  also  at  the  Gloria — those 
who  say  aymen,  and  those  who  say  awmen.  But  they 
have  not  now  assembled  to  be  militant  against  each  other, 
nor  to  quarrel  respecting  costume,  nor  to  discdss  "  the 
Eastern  position,"  nor  to  regulate  "  genuflexions,"  nor  to 
determine  whether  one  part  of  the  sanctuary  is  holier  than 
another  part,  and  the  holy  pronunciation  of  Amen. 

Knowing  that  during  past  contentions  infidels  have 
made  numerous  converts  from  the  masses  who  are  too 
ignorant  to  determine  theological  subtleties — too  ignorant 
to  decide  what  color,  and  tone,  and  attitude  God  is  most 
pleased   with— for  once  those'  assembled   form   a  phalanx 


170  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

against  the  hosts  of  darkness,  to  assault  the  strongholds  of 
their  common  enemy,  and  to  pray  for  the  descent  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  may  bring  what 
is  out  of  balance  into  holy  equilibrium. 

During  this  day  of  clerical  devotion  there  were  two  cel- 
ebrations of  the  Holy  Communion,  full  Morning  and  Even- 
ing Praters,  and  between  the  two  full  services  five  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  clergymen  of  different  schools,  and 
between  each  address  there  was  a  season  for  holy  medita- 
tion and  silent  prayer.  It  was  confessed  that  until  quite 
recently  no  one  would  have  regarded  St.  Paul's  Cathedral 
as  in  the  least  likely  to  be  chosen  for  a  clerical  retreat,  nor 
that  a  day  would  so  soon  arrive  which  should  see  such  a 
body  of-the  clergy  of  all  schools  in  the  Church  of  England 
kneeling  side  by  side  in  rapt  and  silent  devotion,  implor- 
ing God  to  prepare  them  by  His  Holy  Spirit  to  seek  and 
save  the  lost. 

While  outside  the  Cathedral  the  wheels  of  commerce 
rumbled,  so  intense  was  the  devotion  that  Mammon's  roar 
without  did  not  disturb  the  holy  calm  within.  The  pray- 
ers, the  earnest  and  practical  addresses,  the  soul-moving 
praise,  and  the  solemn  intervals  of  silence,  will  be  long 
remembered  by  the  privileged  ones  who  were  present. 

A  similar  service  was  also  held  in  the  chapel  of  Kings 
College,  London,  to  offer  united  fervent  prayers  for  a 
special  tfutpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  for  the  quickening 
of  the  love  of  God  in  their  own  hearts  and  in  those  of  their 
people  ;  for  a  deeper  sense  of  the  worth  of  souls  ;  for  more 
earnestness  and  self-denial  in  their  efforts  to  win  them  for 
Christ  ;  and  for  a  great  gathering  into  the  true  fold  of  mul- 
titudes now  wandering  in  the  broad  road  to  death.  About  • 
fifteen  hundred  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England  assem- 
bled at  the  devotional  services  at  the  places  mentioned,  at  the 
time  appointed,  and  the  addresses  delivered  thrill  with  life. 


THE  PRELENT  CLERICAL  RETREA  T  A  L  COWLEY.    171 


The  Bishop  of  London  set  forth  that  the  experience  of  the 
last  three  years  has  shown  that  special  mission  services, 
held  under  varied  circumstances,  in  harmony  with  our 
parochial  system,  have  been  greatly  blessed  of  God  in 
bringing  within  the  fold  lost  ones  whom  Christ  died  to 
save,  and  blessed  also  in  quickening  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  faithful.  The  Bishop  of  Winchester  depicted  the  power 
of  Christian  love  in  finding  its  way  where  all  else  had 
failed.  But  how  little  this  had  been  tried.  We  tried  police 
courts,  jails  and  penitentiaries,  but  how  little  the  true  light 
of  Christian  love  penetrated  into  the  hearts  of  the  poor. 
The  Bishop  of  Rochester  showed  that  definiteness  should  char- 
acterize the  mission  sermons,  and  that  the  preacher  should 
make  the  hearer  feel  as  David  felt  when  Nathan  said, 
"  Thou  art  the  man  !"  The  Bishop  set  forth  that  Jesus 
Christ  Himself  was  the  first  and  true  missionary,  and  that 
the  mission  of  the  clergy  is  to  allure  men  to  Him  who  said  : 
"  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  Me  and  drink." 
May  the  contemplated  mission  be  instrumental  in  saving 
multitudes  from  "  the  bitter  pangs  of  the  second  death." 


172  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

THE    LONDON    PRELENT    MISSION    COMMENCED. 

Services  in  St.  Paul  s  Cathedral — The  Mission  in  Westminster 
Abbey — Prominent  Missioners — The  Archbishop  of  York — 
Melville  Pym — Earl  Mulgrave — George  Bodington — George 
Body—  W.  H.  Aitken. 

The  day  after  the  retreat,  beneath  a  bright  sky,  the 
great  mission  of  the  age  was  commenced,  and  the  largest 
churches  were  crowded.  In  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  one  of 
the  mission's  great  centres,  at  the  noonday  services  the 
Rev.  Canon  Barry,  who  was  then  Master  of  King's  College, 
preached  on  "  The  Value  of  the  Soul  ;"  "  Thirst  for 
God  ;"  "  Conviction  by  the  Holy  Ghost  of  Sin,  Righteous- 
ness and  Judgment  ;"  "  The  Victory  of  Faith."  And 
at  the  successive  evening  services  the  Rev.  Dr.  Butler,  of 
Wantage,  preached  on  the  "  Fulfilment  of  God's  Will  the 
True  Object  of  Life  ;"  "  Sin  the  Hindrance  to  the  Fulfil- 
ment of  God's  Will,  and  therefore  the  Great  Evil  ;" 
"  Repentance  ;"  "  Forgiveness  of  Sin  ;"  "  Christ  the 
Portion  of  His  People  Here,"  and  a  sermon  on  "Heaven." 

While  outside  the  cathedral  Mammon  is  worshipped, 
and  the  rumblings  of  the  wheels  of  commerce  cause  a  vibra- 
tion resembling  distant  thunder,  within  the  sacred  walls 
are  those  willing  to  listen  to  the  claims  of  God,  and  to  be 
brought  face  to  face  with  their  inner  selves,  and  reiterate 
the  inspired  question,  "  What  is  a  man  profited  if  he  shall 
gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?" 


THE  LONDON  P RELENT  MISSION  COMMENCED.      17:: 


Another  mission  centre  is  the  mausoleum  of  the  distin- 
guished dead — Westminster  Abbey.  Distinguished  preach- 
ers attract  large  audiences  and  secure  devout  attention. 
How  devotional  their  appearance  !  How  solemnizing  the 
service  !  How  soul-moving  the  praise  !  How  practical  the 
sermons  !  During  mission  week  important  subjects  were 
ably  set  forth.  The  Bishop  of  Exeter  preached  on  "  The 
Value  of  Truth  ;"  Rev.  Dr.  Farrar  on  "  The  Ten  Com- 
mandments ;"  Rev.  Dr.  Vaughan  on  "  The  Solidity  of 
True  Religion  ;"  the  Bishop  of  Manchester  on  "  The  True 
Notes  of  the  Kingdom  of  God  ;"  the  Bishop  of  Ely  on  the 
"  Law  of  Temptation  ;"  and  Rev.  Dr.  Butler  on  "  Idolatry 
as  Denounced  by  the  Prophets,  and  as  Still  Prevalent 
Among  Ourselves" — setting  forth  in  detail  the  idolatry  of 
wealth,  of  beauty,  of  art,  and  of  superstition. 

PROMINENT    MISSIONERS. 

The  Archbishop  of  York  is,  mentally  and  physically,  one 
of  nature's  noblemen.  He  is  over  six  feet  in  height,  and 
has  a  gracefully  formed  body.  His  countenance  combines 
geniality  with  dignity.  When  arrayed  in  his  con  vocational 
robes,  and  he  precedes  his  clergy  to  the  place  in  York  Min- 
ster in  which  they  assemble,  his  fine  form  and  majestic 
bearing  are  very  impressive.  His  voice  is  rich  and  flexible, 
and  of  a  good  vocal  range  ;  and  his  oratory  is.  effective, 
because  he  has  cultivated  his  own  natural  voice,  instead  of 
imitating  the  voice  of  some  dramatic  elocutionist.  He 
possesses  great  executive  ability  and  practical  common 
sense. 

His  Grace  the  Archbishop  is  a  zealous  evangelist,  and 
preaches  in  sail-lofts,  machine-shops,  and  factories,  where 
are  no  chancels,  choristers,  organs,  or  rich  memorial  win- 
dows—  as  well  as  in  cathedrals,  abbeys,  and  parish 
churches.       Having   a   vigorous    constitution    and    great 


174  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

power  of  endurance,  he  sometimes  preaches  twenty  ser- 
mons in  a  single  week.  At  the  London  Prelent  Mission 
he  was  one  of  the  missioners  at  St.  Pancras'  Church,  Euston 
Road.  The  author  heard  his  inaugural  "  Mission  Ser- 
mon," based  on  Ezek.  28  :  2.  He  set  forth  God's  judg- 
ment upon  Tyrus  for  trusting  in  its  own  riches  instead  of 
in  the  Lord  Jehovah.  Faithfully  he  depicts  the  corre- 
sponding guilt  of  London  ;  shows  that  to  set  the  mind  on 
wealth  makes  a  man  a  fossil,  and  changes  his  heart  to 
stone  ;  and  deprecates  the  folly  of  a  man  about  to  traverse 
the  gloomy  spaces  of  eternity,  boasting,  "  My  country,  like 
Tyrus,  is  great,  rich,  free  !  What  doors  of  enjoyment  are 
open  to  its  citizens  !  For  them  what  fountains  of  knowl- 
edge flow  !"  Before  the  things  of  earth  shall  pall  upon 
the  senses,  and  the  capacity  to  enjoy  them  shall  depart, 
the  Archbishop  urges  all  to  set  their  affection  on  imperish- 
able treasures,  and  to  avail  themselves  of  the  privileges 
of  the  mission,  which  to  some  may  be  God's  last  call  of 
mercy.  The  body  of  the  capacious  church  and  its  galleries 
and  entrances  were  crowded,  but  though  many  stood  during 
the  sermon,  so  impressive  was  the  archbishop's  sermon 
that  none   showed   signs  of  weariness. 

At  St.  Mary  s  Church,  Islington,  the  parish  church  of  a 
vast  population,  the  missioner  was  the  Rev.  Melville  Pym. 
We  dined  with  the  vicar,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Wilson,  a  son  of 
the  deceased  Bishop  of  Calcutta.  The  vicar  was  too  feeble 
to  accompany  us  to  the  church,  but  we  left  him  in  season 
to  be  at  the  prayer-meeting  held  in  the  vestry-room  be- 
fore the  commencement  of  the  evening  mission  service. 
The  missioner's  subject  was,  "  Christ  Weeping  Over  Jeru- 
salem," and  his  sermon  was  earnest  and  practical.  He 
believes,  with  the  great  preachers  of  mediaeval  and  post- 
mediaeval  times, that  while  in  the  fabric  of  a  sermon  argu- 
ments are  the  pillars,  similitudes  are  the  windows  through 


THE  I. OX  DON  P  RELENT  MISSION  COMMENCED.      L76 


which  the  light  enters.  He  makes  a  free  use  of  illustra- 
tions, and  relates  with  force  incidents  connected  with  his 
own  ministry. 

On  one  occasion  he  related,  that  at  a  prayer-meeting  in  a 
drawing-room,  he  asked  a  person  :  "  How  long  since  you 
found  peace  ?"  Receiving  the  answer,  "  I  have  not  found 
peace,"  he  took  him  aside  and  read  to  him  the  third  chap- 
ter of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  and  set  before  him  the  great- 
ness of  God's  love,  and  the  privilege  of  each  who  believes 
the  record.  Believing  that  God  had  given  to  him  eternal 
life,  and  that  this  life  is  in  His  Son,  the  man  exclaimed  : 
11  Glory  be  to  God  !     I  have  found  peace  now  !" 

To  set  forth  the  dangers  of  delay,  and  incite  the  unsaved 
to  accept  Christ  now,  this  earnest  evangelist  alludes  to  a 
man  who,  at  a  mission  service,  turned  to  leave  with  the 
majority,  and  twice  hesitated  and  turned  back.  When 
urged  by  the  evangelist  to  stay,  the  man  said  :  "  No,  not 
now  ;  I'll  come  to-morrow.''  The  next  day  a  messenger 
came  in  haste,  bearing  the  sad  tidings  that  a  man  had 
been  crushed  by  a  mass  of  falling  stone.  This  was  the 
man  who  on  the  previous  evening  said  :  "  No,  not  now  ; 
ril  come  to-morrow  .'" 

After  the  instruction,  the  missioner  and  lay  workers  go 
from  pew  to  pew  to  converse  with  any  who  have  resolved 
to  seek  the  Lord  to-day.  Devoted  young  men  quietly 
converse  with  those  who  have  remained,  and  inform  the 
evangelist  of  their  spiritual  condition.  One  enters  a  pew, 
and  politely  says  to  the  author  :  "  I  hope,  sir,  that  you  are 
converted  ?"  As  he  sat  with  those  who  remained  for  'the 
privilege  of  the  after-meeting,  the  young  man  only  did  his 
duty,  and  he  admired  his  faithfulness.  One  of  the  most 
useful  evangelists  in  England  is  a  clergyman  who  was  saved 
himself  at  a  mission  service.  The  workers,  concluding 
there  may  be  other  clergymen   in   a  similar  spiritual  con- 


176  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


dition,  when  they  see  one  with  the  inquirers,  speak  to  him. 
A  white  necktie  is  no  certain  sign  that  the  wearer  is 
clothed  in  the  white  robe  of  the  Saviour's  righteousness. 

The  missioners  at  St.  Peter' s  Church,  Eaton  Square,  are  an 
earl  of  the  realm,  the  Rev.  Missioner  Mulgrave,  who  took 
charge  of  the  daily  afternoon  services,  and  the  Rev. 
George  Bodington,  who  preached  the  mission  sermon  each 
evening.  A  brief  description  of  one  service  will  give  an 
idea  of  the  others.  All  the  pews  below  and  in  the  long 
and  deep  galleries  are  filled,  and  hundreds  are  in'the  aisles 
and  entrances.  Missioner  Bodington,  who  has  a  com- 
manding presence  and  a  rich,  sonorous  voice,  preaches  a 
sermon  on  "  Esau  Selling  his  Birthright,"  and  earnestly 
sets  forth  the  great  soul-blessings  that  sinners  exchange 
for  perishing  trifles.  At  the  close  of  the  sermon  he  re- 
quests all  to  kneel  and  spend  a  season  in  solemn  medita- 
tion. Before  the  after-meeting  a  hymn  is  sung,  at  the 
close  of  which  all  who  desire  to  leave  the  church  depart. 

A  very  large  number  remain  for  the  after-meeting.  Some 
retire  for  coversation  with  the  missioner  in  the  vestry- 
room.  During  their  absence  the  vicar,  the  Rev.  G.  H. 
Wilkinson,  now  Bishop  of  Truro,  Cornwall,  gives  the  in- 
struction. How  earnestly  he  pleads  with  the  unsaved  ta 
heed  this  mission  call  of  mercy  !  What  fervor  in  his  utter* 
ances,  and  pathos  in  his  tones  !  Loving  the  Saviour,  he 
desires  others  to  love  Him  also.  Simply  and  tenderly  he 
points  the  unsaved  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  bore  away 
the  sins  of  the  world,  and  urges  them  to  accept  salvation. 

After  a  solemn  pause  for  silent  prayer  the  workers 
quietly  go  from  pew  to  pew,  to  receive  the  names  of  per- 
sons who  desire  to  see  the  vicar  or  the  missioners.  For 
when  the  conscience  is  awakened,  and  sinners  are  asking  : 
"  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  many  desire  private  spir- 
itual advice.     Missioners  are  sometimes  visited  by  Chris- 


THE  LONDON  PRE  LENT  MISSION  COMMENCED.     V 


tians  who  have  lost  their  first  love,  and  grown  cold  in  the 
service  of  Christ,  and  who  long  to  be  revived  ;  by  the 
formalist,  who  is  convinced  that  he  lacks  true  spiritual  life  ; 
by  true  penitents,  who  are  anxious  to  see  more  clearly  the 
way  of  life,  that  they  may  walk  therein  ;  and  by  awakened 
souls,  who  need  the  evidence  from  the  Word  of  God  that 
there  is  eternal  life  in  Christ  for  them.  Truth,  clear  as 
noonday  to  the  preacher,  may  be  dark  as  midnight  to  a 
hearer.  Personal  conversation  will  often  remove  this  dark- 
ness, and  the  penitent  inquirer  will  say  :  "  I  now  see  the 
truth  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus,"  and  at  once  trust  in  Christ 
and  rejoice.  Missioners  Mulgrave  and  Bodington  and 
the  Vicar  were  aware  of  this,  and  were  willing  to  help  peo- 
ple publicly  or  privately.  Rich  and  poor  were  faithfully 
instructed.  One  afternoon  the  author  looked  into  the 
church  at  a  special  service,  and  saw  five  hundred  of  the 
servant  girls  in  this  fashionable  region  who  had  assem- 
bled to  hear  the  Gospel  on  a  week-day  afternoon.  Earl  Mul- 
grave was  quiet  in  manner,  but  his  sermons  were  effective. 
The  Rev.  George  Body,  who  was  the  missioner  at  St.  Au- 
gustine's Church,  Kilburn,  does  not  attract  by  his  personal 
appearance,  but  is  an  efficient  mission  preacher.  He  stood 
on  the  upper  step  of  the  chancel,  announced  his  text,  ex- 
plained its  import,  and  gradually  increased  in  fluency  and 
fervor.  He  believes  in  the  sacraments  with  all  his  heart, 
and  implores  the  regenerate  not  to  neglect  the  holy  com- 
munion. But  he  also  as  earnestly  implores  the  unregener- 
ate  and  unconverted  to  believe  and  obey  the  Gospel,  that 
they  also  may  receive  the  sacramental  benediction.  With 
all  the  ardor  of  his  soul  he  beseeches  his  sin-bound  hearers 
to  accept  the  soul-liberty  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is 
strong  to  deliver  and  mighty  to  save.  As  there  is  no  rest  in 
the  hill  of  legality,  he  implores  the  unsaved  to  take  refuge 
in  the  Atonement,  and   to  escape  to   the  hill  of  Calvary, 


178  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

and  yield  intellect,  heart  and  will  to  God's  voice  of  love. 
Believing  that  God  pardoneth  and  absolveth  all  those 
who  truly  repent  and  unfeignedly  believe  his  holy  Gospel, 
and  that  it  is  the  privilege  of  forgiven  souls  to  know  that  they 
are  pardoned,  and  to  be  assured  of  God's  grace  and  favor, 
and  to  be  conscious  that  they  experience  "  the  peace  of 
God  which  passeth  all  understanding" — while  the  preacher 
does  not  set  forth  assurance  of  forgiveness,  or  conscious- 
ness of  pardon  as  essential  to  salvation,  he  teaches  that 
this  is  essential  to  true  soul  serenity.  Enjoying  himself  the 
benediction  of  peace,  he  says  :  "  When  I  embraced  the 
Saviour  He  drowned  all  my  sins  in  the  Red  Sea  of  His 
love  !  He  blotted  out  all  my  transgressions  !  I  know  that 
I  have  passed  from  death  unto  life." 

Faithfully  he  shows  that  all  need  the  liberty  of  soul  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Solemnly  he  sets  forth  that  all  who 
refuse  this  great  salvation  must  perish  forever.  Elo- 
quently he  depicts  Christ's  attractions  and  saving  power. 
Faithful  are  his  warnings  and  thrilling  his  appeals.  Pos- 
sessing great  histrionic  power  and  great  compass  of  voice, 
and  skilful  power  of  expression,  what  he  describes  his 
hearers  see.  Defying  space  and  time,  he  makes  the  past 
present,  and  brings  the  distant  nigh.  By  that  vocal  mag- 
netism which  cannot  be  described,  he  arrests  and  holds  at- 
tention. The  spiritual  atmosphere  of  his  own  soul  is  dif- 
fused over  the  audience,  and  all  listen  as  if  spell-bound. 

Speaking  like  one  in  whose  heart  the  Saviour  is  en- 
throned, and  in  whose  love  his  own  soul  delights,  and  in 
whose  saving  power  he  fully  trusts,  and  in  whose  great 
salvation  his  own  soul  finds  repose,  the  preacher  is  anxious 
to  send  each  hearer  away,  not  with  a  theory  of  salvation 
in  his  head,  but  with  a  living,  loving  Saviour  reigning  in 
the  heart. 

In    closing  his    sermon    he   seems   almost  inspired,   and 


THE  LONDON  PRELENT  MISSION  COMMENCED.     17(.) 

pleads  with  souls  with  the  impassioned  tenderness  of  a 
mother,  and  at  times  strong  men  bow  their  heads  and 
weep. 

At  the  after-meeting  the  evangelist  passes  up  and  down 
the  aisles  between  the  kneeling  multitude.  Now  he 
quotes  a  precious  Gospel  invitation.  Now,  to  inspire  con- 
fidence, he  requests  anxious  ones  to  say  after  him  — 

"  Rock  of  Ages,  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  Thee." 

Believing  that  there  is  power  in  the  Saviour's  name,  and 
that  through  its  utterance  in  faith  hope  dawns,  he  some- 
times requests  penitents  to  say,  ''Jesus!  Jesus  I  Jesus/1' 
that  they  may  sooner  be  able  to  say,  "  my  Saviour  !" 

The  solemnity  of  the  after-meeting,  while  the  kneeling 
and  anxious  penitents  repeat  after  the  missioner  special 
petitions  in  solemn  and  plaintive  tone,  it  is  impossible  to 
describe.  When  hundreds  remained  there  was  perfect 
order,  exceeding  calmness,  strange  stillness,  overawing 
serenity.  And  on  some  days,  during  the  intervals  of  the 
public  services,  the  missioner  and  parochial  clergy  spent 
hour  after  hour  calmly  conversing  with  souls  anxious  to  be 
saved  from  the  guilt  and  dominion  of  sin  ;  and  many  were 
snatched  as  brands  from  the  burning.  That  an  invisible 
power  was  present,  the  prayed-for  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  could  not  be  doubted. 

At  St.  Jude  s  Church,  Mildtnay  Park,  part  of  the  parish  of 
St.  Mary's,  Islington,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Aitken,  Vicar  of 
Everton,  is  the  missioner.  Previous  to  the  evening  service 
we  accompany  the  Mission  Street  choir  through  several 
of  the  streets  adjacent  to  St.  Jude's.  The  singing  of  sacred 
tunes  in  the  public  streets  attracting  attention,  the  in- 
mates of  houses  open  the  doors  and  windows,  and  look 
out  and  listen.     At  the  close  of  the  hvmn  one  of  the  com- 


180  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

pany  loudly  invites  them  to  "  Come  to  the  mission,"  and 
adds  a  few  words  of  exhortation. 

One  of  the  choir  said  to  the  author  :  "  Please,  sir,  as  my 
throat  is  tired,  will  you  kindly  give  loudly  the  notice  and 
invitation  ?"  He  answered  :  "  I  will  do  so  if  you  will  first 
sing, 

"  '  Hark  !  hark  !  hear  the  glad  tidings, 
Soon,  soon,  Jesus  will  come.'  " 

After  the  singing  and  the  notice  we  went  together  to  the 
church.  The  seats  in  the  choir  nave,  aisles,  transepts  and 
galleries  are  already  nearly  filled,  and  soon  every  pew  was 
crowded.  After  the  short  "  mission  service"  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Aitken  enters  the  pulpit  and  preaches  a  solemn,  instruc- 
tive, and  soul-moving  sermon  on  the  destruction  of  the 
first-born  in  Egypt.  The  sermon  was  a  superior  specimen 
of  sanctified  oratory,  and  showed  the  power  of  sacred  elo- 
quence to  reproduce  the  scene  described.  The  sins  that 
provoked  this  fearful  judgment,  and  the  destroying  angel 
inflicting  it,  were  vividly  depicted  ;  also  God's  great  mercy 
in  sparing  His  people  whose  door-lintels  were  sprinkled 
with  blood.  Now  transporting  the  mind  from  Egypt  to 
Calvary,  the  preacher  depicts  the  deserved  doom  of  all  ; 
God's  love  in  providing  a  sin-atoning  Sacrifice  ;  the  saving 
power  of  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  the  necessity  of  its 
application  to  each  soul  in  order  to  escape  a  more  terrible 
calamity  than  the  destruction  in  Egypt — "  the  bitter  pangs 
of  the  second  death  !" 

How  solemnly  terrible  are  the  preacher's  descriptions  of 
sin  and  judgment  !  How  thrilling  his  searching  ques- 
tions !  How  faithfully  he  warns  !  How  earnestly  he  be- 
seeches !  How  tenderly  he  pleads  with  the  unsaved  to  ac- 
cept the  only  Saviour  !  Solemnity  reigns.  Hearts  are 
moved.  Heads  droop.  Sighs  escape.  Tears  start.  Im- 
ploring looks  say,  O  Lord,  have  mercy  ! 


THE  LONDON  PRELENT  MISSION  COMMENCED.      181 

In  order  to  inspire  gratitude  for  the  great  salvation  freely 
provided  for  all,  the  evangelist  requests  the  people  to 
kneel.  As  they  had  been  accustomed  to  repeat  aloud  the 
general  confession,  he  requests  them  to  say  after  him  :  "  O 
Lord,  I  thank  Thee  that  Thou  didst  die  for  ;//<?."  From 
different  parts  of  the  crowded  edifice  different  voices  com- 
mingle, saying  :  "  O  Lord,  I  thank  Thee  that  Thou  didst  die 
for  ME." 

After  a  solemn  pause  the  preacher  gives  the  instruction, 
which  sets  forth  God's  satisfaction  with  His  Son's  atone- 
ment. To  inspire  confidence,  he  requests  all  who  are  seek- 
ing assurance  of  salvation  to  say  after  him,  "  O  Lord,  I 
believe  that  Thou  art  satisfied  with  Thy  Son's  atonement, 
and  because  Thou  art  satisfied  I  am  satisfied."  A  goodly 
number  comply  with  this  request.  By  faith  some  behold 
their  Saviour,  and  cast  their  sin-burden  at  His  feet.  Some 
believe  that  the  Lord  is  in  His  holy  temple,  and  their  en- 
mity departs.  Receiving  the  Atonement,  turmoil  ceases, 
darkness  vanishes,  hope  dawns,  tears  are  wiped  away,  and 
sad  faces  become  radiant  !     Some  can  sing, 

"  There's  a  delightful  clearness  now, 
My  clouds  of  doubt  are  gone  ; 
Fled  is  my  former  darkness,  too, 
My  terror  all  withdrawn." 

Quietly  the  workers  go  from  pew  to  pew  to  converse  with 
those  who  have  remained  for  special  instruction.  A  de- 
voted layman  addresses  the  author,  gently  saying  :  "  I 
hope,  sir,  you  are  a  praying  brother  ?"  "I  hope  so,  too," 
I  answered,  "  seeing  that  I  have  travelled  over  three  thou- 
sand miles  to  study  this  mission."  It  was  the  duty  of  the 
workers  to  converse  with  whoever  remained.  The  Lord 
has  much  work  for  laborers  willing  to  converse  with  one 
individual.     Devoted  laymen  gladly  do  much  that  some  of 


182 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


the  clergy  leave  undone.  Some  who  can  fluently  address 
an  overflowing  congregation  lack  the  courage  to  ap- 
proach an  individual  and  say  :  "  Do  you  love  the  Saviour  f" 
Religious  conversation  with  individuals  at  the  after-meet- 
ings led  many  to  say  :  "  I  love  Christ,  because  He  first  loved 
??ie. 


MIDNIGHT  GOSPEL  SKA' I' ICES.  L83 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

MIDNIGHT    GOSPEL    SERVICES    TO    RESCUE    THE    FALLEN. 

The  A r gyle  Rooms— St.  Peter  s  Church  Filled— Appearance  of 
the  Audience  —  The  Gift  of  a  Residence — Lady  Gladstone — 
Midnight  Missions  at  Other  Centres — Fallen  Women  Rescued. 

St.  Peter's  Church  is  in  a  district  separated  from  the 
parish  of  St.  James,  Piccadilly,  and  was  built  in  1861, 
Lord  Derby  giving  ^5000  toward  its  erection.  The  in- 
cumbent, the  Rev.  Arthur  Mozley,  was  the  successor  of 
the  Rev.  G.  H.  Wilkinson,  the  incumbent  of  St.  Peter's, 
Eaton  Square,  Belgravia,  now  the  Bishop  of  Truro,  Corn- 
wall. The  mission  in  St.  Peter's  was  conducted  by  the 
Rev.  O.  S.  Prescott,  S.  E.  Gladstone,  A.  C.  Thynne,  aided 
by  the  devoted  church  layman,  Captain  W.  Beaumont 
Selby,  late  of  Her  Majesty's  Indian  Navy,  now  of  Horn- 
well  Down,  Devonshire.  St.  Peter's  Church  being  in  the 
vicinity  of  Coventry  Street,  the  Haymarket,  and  the  Regent 
Street  Quadrant,  the  great  centres  of  fashionable  revellers 
in  midnight  iniquities,  the  mission  and  the  midnight  ser- 
vices here  rank  in  importance  with  any  in  London.  Prom 
this  centre  of  evil,  fallen  women  descend  lower  and  lower 
in  the  social  scale,  until  loathsome  to  themselves  and  to 
others,  and  are  "driven  away  in  their  wickedness.' 
Scenes  associated  with  the  midnight  services  the  author 
never  before  witnessed.  Windmill  and  Archer  and  other 
adjacent    streets    are    lined    with    a   variety    of    carriages, 


184  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

and  among  them  costly  "  Broughams,"'  with  coachmen  in 
livery.  The  owners,  or  hirers,  of  the  numerous  vehicles 
are  now  witnessing,  or  engaged  in,  the  mazy  dance,  or 
listening  to  one  of  the  best  bands  in  London,  in  the 
dazzlingly  gorgeous  Argyle  Casino,  the  most  fashionable 
one  in  the  city.  The  proprietor  must  either  close  it 
at  twelve  o'clock  or  forfeit  his  license.  The  patrons 
emerge  at  midnight  and  enter  their  respective  carriages 
to  return  to  their  more  retired  but  expensive  haunts  of  sin. 
But  as  they  pass  St.  Peter's  Church,  but  a  few  yards  dis- 
tant, the  tolling  bell  arrests  their  attention.  Many  won- 
der, many  pass  by,  but  some  remain.  Women  and  their 
companions  in  sin  enter  the  church.  Soon  the  church  is 
filled,  and  the  entrances  are  crowded.  But,  oh,  my  soul, 
what  a  scene  !  Girls  of  tender  age,  and  some  of  the  fairest 
daughters  in  the  land,  beautiful  in  person,  and  attired  in 
silks,  and  satins,  and  velvets,  and  rich  lace,  and  decorated 
with  costly  jewelry  and  glittering  diamonds,  are  seated  in 
the  holy  sanctuary,  and  beside  them  their  fashionable  com- 
panions in  guilt.  Their  natural  beauty  and  costly  attire 
would  lead  a  stranger  to  conclude  that  they  are  the  guests 
of  a  royal  wedding.  A  Christian  lady  was  deeply  moved  by 
the  soul-danger  of  the  beautiful  but  betrayed  ones  present. 
As  some  were  highly  educated,  and  had  been  allured  from 
boarding-schools,  and  could  not  be  persuaded  to  enter  a 
misnamed  "  Magdalene  Hospital  "  or  similar  institution, 
even  if  desirous  to  reform,  she  gave  one  of  her  country 
seats  to  be  used  as  a  temporary  home  or  refuge  by  any 
who  desired  to  change  their  mode  of  life.  As  all  were  at- 
tired in  costly  garments,  and  real  diamonds  sparkled,  and 
their  "  gentlemen"  (?)  were  in  full  evening  dress,  it  was 
impossible  for  trie  lay  workers  to  distinguish  their  true 
character  or  be  respecters  of  persons.  At  one  of  the  after- 
meetings  a  Christian  woman  approached  the  lady  who  had 


MIDXIGHT  GOSPEL  SERVICES.  L86 

given  the  mansion  referred  to,  and  politely  said  :  "  Would 
you  like  to  go  to  the  new  home  ?"  As  the  Rev.  Mr.  Glad- 
stone was  one  of  the  midnight  missioners,  his  mother,  the 
wife  of  the  late  Premier,  was  present  at  an  after-meeting, 
and  was  asked  by  a  stranger  a  similar  question  !  This, 
however,  was  kept  from  the  "reporters."  Through  the 
midnight  services  at  St.  Peter's  some  gladly  went  to  the 
provided  homes  ;  others  were  married  to  their  betrayers  ; 
some  returned  to  their  parents  ;  and  some  said  :  "  Thank 
God  that  some  of  His  servants  are  not  afraid  to  rescue  us 
from  ruin  !"  The  sad  story  told  by  some  would  melt  a 
heart  of  stone.  Midnight  Gospel  services  were  also  held  near 
a  centre  where  those  whose  betrayers  have  forsaken  them 
congregate,  and  fall  lower  and  lower  ;  also  in  a  church 
near  a  centre  where  those  w7hose  faces  and  attire  are  re- 
pelling assemble  to  drink,  dance  and  revel.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  the  first  place  named,  the  streets  adjacent  to 
where  midnight  services  were  held  were  visited  by  ex- 
perienced workers  of  the  "  London  Midnight  Mission," 
who  gave  cards  of  invitation  to  the  women  willing  to  re- 
ceive them  to  attend  the  service  for  their  welfare.  Before 
the  religious  exercises  commenced  they  partook  of  re- 
freshments provided  by  Christian  ladies,  who  served  them 
in  the  school-room.  Eminent  clergymen  and  titled  lords 
and  ladies  ate  with  notorious  sinners  !  After  Gospel  ad- 
dresses and  touching  appeals  those  desirous  to  reform 
-were  invited  to  go  to  suitable  homes  freely  provided  ;  and 
all  those  who  accepted  the  invitation  were  taken  to  them 
in  covered  carriages. 

During  the  mission  throughout  London  special  services 
were  daily  held,  adapted  to  various  classes.  For  the  con- 
venience of  mechanics,  laborers,  and  the  men-servants  of 
the  rich,  services  were  held  early  in  the  morning,  before 
they  commenced  their  daily  duties  ;  and  for  the  conven- 


180  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ience  of  wealthy  families  special  services  for  their  domestic 
servants  were  held  in  the  afternoon.  For  the  benefit  of 
cabmen  and  persons  engaged  in  work  in  the  streets,  ser- 
vices were  held  at  a  convenient  hour.  Suitable  services 
for  children  were  held  before  dark  in  school-rooms  and  in 
hired  halls.  That  mothers  who  were  poor,  and  those  who 
kept  no  servants,  might  attend  some  of  the  mission  ser- 
vices, committees  of  Christian  ladies  took  charge  of  their 
infants  and  young  children  during  their  temporary  ab- 
sence. And  thus  all  sorts  of  church  means  were  used  to 
save  "all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men,"'  for  whom  the 
Church  prays.  In  addition  to  announcements  made  in 
churches  and  by  large  placards  on  the  walls,  myriads  of 
hand-bills,  mission  tracts,  and  notices  in  newspapers — in 
some  localities  the  people  were  notified  by  the  street-crier, 
who  gathered  a  group  by  ringing  his  large  hand  bell,  and 
giving  notice  of  the  services  in  an  adjacent  church.  The 
spirit  of  the  mandate  was  obeyed,  "  Go  into  the  streets 
and  lanes  of  the  city,  and  compel  them  to  come  in,  that 
ray  house  may  be  filled." 

The  Archbishops  of  Canterbury  a?id  of  York,  eminent 
bishops,  learned  doctors  of  divinity,  and  some  of  the  most 
earnest  and  eloquent  preachers  of  the  Anglican  Church, 
took  part  in  some  of  the  numerous  services.  But  as  all 
human  efforts  would  be  in  vain  without  the  divine  bless- 
ing, before  the  mission  commenced  numerous  persons  who 
volunteered  to  devote  a  specified  number  of  minutes  of  a 
certain  hour  of  each  day  or  night  praying  for  the  mission 
were  furnished  with  a  printed  prayer,  imploring  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  aid  the  missioners  and  God's  blessing  on 
the  different  classes  specified  on  the  perpetual  prayer  card 
or  leaflet.  That  there  might  be  no  failure  through  sick- 
ness or  other  causes,  a  large  number  of  Christians  arranged 
to  offer  the  "  perpetual  prayer"  at  the  same  selected  time 


MIDXIGHT  GOSPEL  SERVICES.  187 

of  one  of  the  twenty-four  hours  of  each  day.  So  that,  dur- 
ing every  moment  of  the  ten  days,  specific  and  earnest 
prayer  ascended  to  Him  who  said,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  re- 
ceive," that  His  blessing  rest  on  the  missioners  and  mis- 
sion. And  for  ten  consecutive  days,  from  two  hundred 
and  forty-eight  large  churches,  numerous  chapels,  halls 
and  school-rooms,  Westminster  Abbey,  and  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  and  thousands  of  private  houses,  a  mighty  vol- 
ume of  earnest  prayer  ascended,  imploring  God's  blessing 
on  the  mission's  unusual  concentration  of  Gospel  power. 

During  this  simultaneous  mission,  in  gloomy  lanes  and 
in  fashionable  squares,  the  voice  of  mercy  was  sweetly 
sounded.  Rich  and  poor  sat  in  the  sanctuary  side  by  side. 
Men  in  fustian  and  men  in  broadcloth  trembled  and  re- 
joiced together.  Women  in  velvet  and  feathers,  and  those 
in  shabby  attire,  heard  the  mandate  :  "  Strive  to  enter  in 
at  the  strait  gate  ;  for  many  shall  seek  to  enter  in  and 
shall  not  be  able  when  once  the  Master  of  the  house  hath 
risen  up,  and  hath  shut  mercy's  door."  Never  before  had 
the  voice  of  warning  been  so  earnestly  sounded  within  so 
short  a  period,  and  the  glorious  results  prove  that  Christ 
loves  His  Church,  and  did  not  allow  her  to  sleep  the  sleep 
of  death.  For  when  she  in  works  denied  Him  He  looked 
upon  her  with  a  look  of  compassion,  as  He  once  looked  at 
St.  Peter.  When  her  spiritual  life  was  flickering,  to  pre- 
vent its  extinction  His  breath  of  love  enkindled  it  into  this 
bright  flame,  and  the  glad  sound  ascends — 

"  Thou,  Lord,  didst  send  us  a  plenteous  -am, 

And  refreshedst  Thine  inheritance  when  it  was  weary." 


188  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE    MISSION    THANKSGIVING    SERVICE. 

The  Preacher  of  the  Sermon — Thanki?ig  God  that  Bishops  are 
Leaders — Manifest  Results  of  the  Mission — The  Grand  Te 
Deum. 

Many  are  entering  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  to  offer  thanks- 
givings. Soon  every  seat  is  occupied,  and  many  are  stand- 
ing. 

Immediately  after  morning  prayer  the  choir  and  con- 
gregation sang, 

"  The  Church's  one  foundation 
Is  Jesus  Christ,  her  Lord." 

The  Rev.  G.  S.  Wilkinson,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church, 
Eaton  Square,  Beigravia,  preaches  the  thanksgiving  ser- 
mon, based  on  Psalm  103  :  2  :  ';  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my 
soul,  and  forget  not  all  His  benefits."  The  speaker  set 
forth  that  the  question,  "  What  good  has  the  mission  ac- 
complished ?' '  has  been  asked  by  that  world  whose  citadel 
has  been  assailed,  but  that  the  question  cannot  now  be  an- 
swered in  all  its  fulness.  We  come  here  while  the  war-cry 
is  still  sounding,  "  How  went  the  battle?"  We  can  tell 
of  souls  saved,  of  wandering  sheep  brought  back  from  the 
dark  mountains  into  mercy's  fold,  and  of  tears  and  pray- 
ers welling  up  from  thankful  hearts.  The  clergy  can  speak 
of  the  blessing  to  their  own  souls  through  the  labors  of 
the  missioners  who  came  from  various  parts  of  England  to 


THE  MISSION  THANKSGIVING  SKA1 1 '/( '/•:.  i  39 

lielp  them  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty. 
Our  own  spirits  were  well-nigh  crushed.  Our  hands  were 
hanging  down.  The  mission  to  us  clergy  was,  "  Behold, 
I  bring  you  glad  tidings  of  great  joy."  God's  truth  has 
been  preached  to  our  people,  and  the  mission  has  made 
them  free.  We  had  been  talking  about  the  Gospel  till  our 
flame  of  love  waned  into  a  weak  sentimentalism.  God  sent 
the  voice  of  the  mission  to  cry,  "  God  is  not  mocked  !" 
We  can  tell  also  of  the  blessing  of  God  given  to  the  Church 
workers,  of  love  to  Christ  deepened,  of  souls  who  have  re- 
solved to  henceforth  cry,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory 
save  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  my  Lord  !"  and  who  are  ready, 
not  only  to  be  bound,  but  to  die  for  the  Saviour  who  gave 
Himself  for  them.  We  can  tell  that  through  this  London 
mission  God  has  saved  lost  sinners  and  added  many  to  His 
Church.  Should  it  be  said  that  these  results  are  but  tem- 
porary, the  result  of  excitement,  this  would  reiterate  what 
Christ  taught — that  some  good  seed  might  be  unfruitful. 
Should  mistakes  be  brought  to  light,  let  them  be  un- 
sparingly exposed,  if  men  can  be  found  who  have  the  heart 
to  do  so,  when  missioners  have  almost  broken  down  their 
strength  in  order  to  benefit  their  fellow-men.  But  God  has 
given  results  from  which  no  criticism  can  remove  the  men 
from  the  foundation  on  which  they  stand.  Many  here 
will  thank  God  for  sins  forgiven,  for  power  bestowed  wThen 
most  needed.  The  vast  assembly  were  called  upon  to  re- 
joice, because,  first,  we  have  been  allowed  in  this  mission 
to  manifest  the  ?iame  of  God,  and  to  witness  before  men  and 
angels  for  the  kingdom  of  truth.  Many  have  been  led  to 
declare,  "  I  do  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty,  and  in 
His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord."  Come  what  may,  noth- 
ing can  rob  us  of  this — that  the  mission  has  ma?iifested  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jehovah. 
The   Rev.  speaker  called   on   all  to  rejoice  because,  sec- 


190  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ond,  nothing  can  rob  us  of  the  truth  that  this  mission  has 
been  participated  in  by  the  Church.  God  gave  the  mis- 
sion. The  bishops  had  the  spiritual  discernment  and 
power  to  receive  God's  message.  The  bishops  recom- 
mended the  mission.  The  clergy  responded  ;  and  the 
dean  and  chapter  of  St.  Paul's  made  this  cathedral  the 
centre  around  which  the  mission  revolved.  Here  the 
bishops  summoned  us  to  pray,  and  from  this  place  they 
sent  us  forth  to  the  work  of  the  mission  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Here  we 
met  the  day  before  the  mission  commenced,  in  order  to 
pray  for  the  Divine  blessing,  and  here  we  have  met  to 
offer  thanksgiving  and  praise  for  the  cheering  results. 

All  should  rejoice  because,  third,  nothing  can  rob  us  of 
the  fact  that  thousands  of  prayers  have  been  offered  for 
this  great  metropolis.  Who  can  tell  what  evils  shall  be 
remedied  in  answer  to  prayer,  and  what  showers  of  bless- 
ing shall  descend  in  our  own  time  on  this  mighty  city  ? 
Our  bishops  have  been  allowed,  under  God,  to  put  into 
operation  a  mighty  mission  power.  Oh,  thank  God  that 
bishops  are  leading  us  in  the  battle,  and  that  they  had  the 
courage  to  heed  the  Divine  voice  and  send  us  forth.  The 
Church  of  England  as  a  branch  of  the  Church  catholic,  as 
the  result  of  the  ten  days  of  earnest  prayer,  will  cause  her 
power  to  be  felt  as  God's  chosen  evangelist  to  the  utter- 
most parts  of  the  earth,  to  prepare  the  nations  for  the  com- 
ing of  her  King  to  judgment.  But  remember  that  the  battle 
with  evil  has  only  just  begun.  Satan  will  soon  muster 
again  the  hosts  of  sin  to  neutralize  our  efforts.  How  shall 
we  hold  our  ground  when  the  great  dragon  is  pouring 
after  us  the  floods  of  evil  ?  Only  by  trusting  in  the  power 
of  God,  and  with  prayer  and  thanksgiving  looking  up  to 
Him.  God  only  knows  the  future  before  His  "Church  ; 
but  let  His  people  this  day  begin  to  sing,  and  God  will 
fight  for  Judah,  and  all  enemies  will  fall  to  the  ground. 


THE  MISSION   THANKSGIVING  SERVICE.  191 

In  words  of  ringing  eloquence  the  preacher  closes  the 
sermon,  of  which  the  foregoing  is  but  a  meagre  outline, 
saying  :  "  The  Lord  Jesus  will  take  our  effort  this  morn- 
ing and  offer  it  up  as  the  sacrifice  of  London  !  With 
angels,  and  archangels,  and  all  the  company  of  heaven  — 
with  the  glorious  band  of  martyrs,  prophets,  saints,  angels, 
ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand,  raise  we  the  strain  of  joy 
and  praise  !  With  all  on  earth  and  all  in  heaven  we  lift 
up  our  hearts  and  voices.  We  praise  Thee  !  We  bless  Thee  ! 
We  glorify  Thee  !  We  give  thanks  unto  Thee  !  Glory 
be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost  !" 

A  pause  is  now  given  for  silent  thanksgiving,  and  the 
vast  assembly  kneel.  Thankfulness  is  deeply  felt,  and 
hearts  throb  with  gratitude.  But  as  the  gratitude  felt  is 
so  intense  that  it  must  find  expression  in  musical  utter- 
ance, the  organ  sounds  the  prelude  of  the  musical  wings 
by  which  the  Te  Deum  is  to  soar  to  realms  above.  Waves 
of  melody  seem  to  descend  and  to  ascend,  as  if  the  music 
of  heaven  and  of  earth  have  met  in  unison,  and  the  pent- 
up  gratitude  bursts  forth.  "  We  praise  Thee,  O  God,  we 
acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord,1"  ascends  from  earth  to 
heaven.  And  in  view  of  the  sinners  saved  through  God's 
blessing  on  the  mission  the  rejoicing  angels  doubtless 
take  up  the  strain  and  sing,  "  We  praise  Thee,  O  God,  we 
acknowledge  Thee  to  be  the  Lord — the  Lord  God,  strong 
in  battle,  mighty  to  save  /" 

Soon  after  the  London  Prelent  Mission,  which  marked  a 
new  era  in  the  history  of  the  Church  of  England,  Evangel- 
ist Moody  and  his  coadjutor  evangelists,  and  the  singing 
Evangelist  Sankey  and  his  musical  assistants,  visited  Lon- 
don and  other  parts  of  England,  and  preached  the  Gospel 
to  many  thousands  whom  the  London  Prelent  Mission  had 
not  reached  ;  and  clergymen  and  laymen  of  the  Church 
heartily  co-operated  with  them  in  their  evangelistic  labor, 
which   accomplished  so  much  good. 


192  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

NUMEROUS    MISSIONS    HELD    IN    VARIOUS    PLACES. 

Converts  Steadfast — General  Church  Life — Christians  Rejoicing 
that  the  Church  is  Awake —  York  Minster — Bristol  Cathedral. 

Since  the  date  of  the  London  Prelent  Mission  the  Rev. 
Knox  Little,  and  other  clergymen  who  took  part  therein, 
have  become  experienced  and  eminent  missioners.  The 
Rev.  W.  Hay  Aitken,  Vicar  of  Everton,  and  others  have 
devoted  themselves  to  the  work  of  evangelists  ;  and,  in 
connection  with  rectors  and  vicars  who  devote  a  portion  of 
each  year  to  evangelistic  labors,  missions  have  been  held 
in  the  principal  cities  and  towns  of  England,  and  the  in- 
terest in  parochial  missions  yearly  increases.  The  unques- 
tioned good  and  permanent  results  of  parochial  missions 
have  removed  undue  caution  from  the  minds  of  timid  rec- 
tors. Knowing  that  missions  promote  parochial  efficiency, 
the  question  in  England  is  not,  "  May  I  risk  having  a  mis- 
sion ?"  but  "  When  will  the  missioner's  numerous  engage- 
ments permit  him  to  visit  my  parish  ?"  As  a  result  of  a 
general  mission  in  Portsmouth  several  hundred  were  con- 
firmed, many  of  them  belonging  to  a  class  difficult  to  im- 
press. Some  time  after  the  general  mission  held  in  the 
city  of  Bristol  five  hundred  persons  were  confirmed  in  the 
ancient  and  restored  cathedral.  At  a  mission  held  in  the 
city  of  York  the  congregations  grew  too  large  for  any 
parish  church  to  hold  them,  and  the  services  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  capacious  cathedral  or  York  Minster. 


NUMEROUS  MISSIONS  HELD  TN  VARIOUS  PLACES.  193 


As  missioners  emphasize  what  to  believe,  converts, 
through  God's  blessing  on  missions,  are  grounded  in  the 
truth,  and  rectors  guide  them  step  after  step  up  the  ladder 
of  the  means  of  grace  to  the  high  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 
They  do  not  "  fall  away,"  because  their  hope  of  safety  is 
not  based  on  their  variable  emotions,  but  on  God's  faith- 
fulness in  fulfilling  His  promises.  In  a  paper  read  by  the 
now  Bishop  of  Truro  on  "  the  permanence  of  the  good  re- 
sults of  missions,"  he  showed  (a)  that  some  of  the  most  un- 
promising, whose  career  had  been  carefully  watched  for 
years,  from  the  time  of  the  mission  had  lived  consistent 
lives  and  died  in  peaceful  triumph  ;  {b)  that  a  large  ma- 
jority of  converts  through  missions  have  kept  their  faces 
Zionward  ;  (c)  many  are  earnest  Church  workers,  who  up- 
hold their  rectors'  hands  by  hearty  co-operation  to  save 
V  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men." 

In  addition  to  the  numerous  missions  held  by  the  Mis- 
sion Brothers,  of  whom  the  Rev.  Fr.  Benson  is  the  head, 
since  the  date  of  the  London  Prelent  Mission,  "  The 
Church  of  England  Parochial  Mission  Society,"  of  which 
the  Rev.  W.  Hay  Aitken  is  the  superintendent,  has  sup- 
ported a  number  of  missioners,  who  have  held  twelve  hun- 
dred missions  in  different  parts  of  England.  In  the  spring 
of  1884  another  general  mission  was  held  in  the  churches 
at. the  "  West  End"  of  London,  later  an  Advent  Mission 
in  churches  at  the  "  East  End.'' 

In  East  London  mission  services  were  held  in  about  two 
hundred  places  for  a  space  of  ten  days,  and  in  some 
churches  there  were  as  many  as  fifteen  services  in  a  single 
day.  "  Processions,  headed  by  the  clergy,  marched 
through  the  streets,  singing  hymns.  It  was  sought  to 
reach  all  classes  of  the  population,  even  the  lowest.  A 
procession  consisting  of  two  church  choirs,  in  surplices 
and  cassocks,  and   missioners  and  clergy  attired    in  their 


194  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

official  vestments,  and  led  by  a  brass  band,  marched 
through  the  Potteries,  one  of  the  most  wretched  districts 
in  London." 

Missioner  Aitken  held  several  missions  for  business  men 
in  London,  one  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  where  women  as  well 
as  men  were  admitted.  For  seven  weeks  he  daily  preached 
at  St.  Martha  s,  Lothbury.  By  the  invitation  of  the  Mayor 
of  London  he  also  preached  a  few  sermons  at  the  Guild 
Hall,  which  was  crowded  with  the  leading  business  men 
of  London.      "Laus  Deo  /" 

A  current  of  holy  activity  now  flows  in  reciprocal  cur- 
rents from  diocesan  centres  through  every  parochial  artery, 
for  the  missions  have  not  been  conducted  to  make  feeble 
parishes  weaker,  and  strong  parishes  stronger  at  their  ex- 
pense. Cathedrals,  abbeys  and  parish  churches,  for  a 
season  almost  deserted,  are  now  filled  with  devout  and 
zealous  worshippers  ;  and  eminent  divines  of  different  re- 
ligious bodies  rejoice  in  the  wondrous  contrast.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  Osborn,  an  aged  and  eminent  Methodist  minister,  at 
a  Methodist  conference  held  in  London  said  :  "  Our  har- 
vest was  when  the  Church  was  fast  asleep  and  the  Dis- 
senters were  all  nodding  ;  but  now  the  Church  is  wide 
awake  and  covers  the  country,  and  has  advantages  which 
nobody  else  has  and  nobody  can  deprive  them  of.  .  .  .  I 
have  been  watching  the  religious  condition  of  England 
with  more  or  less  advantage  for  more  than  half  a  century  ; 
and  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  I  do  not  believe 
there  ever  was  such  a  revival  of  religion  as  that  of  which 
the  Established  Church  of  this  country  has  been  the  sub- 
ject during  the  last  half  century.  Looked  at  in  its  origin 
and  effects,  tendencies  and  results,  there  is  nothing  in 
ecclesiastical  history  that  can  be  put  side  to  side  with 
it.  .  .  .  The  clergy  are  patterns  to  all  Christian  ministers 
of  every  name  and  distinction,  in  zeal,  in   untiring  labor  ; 


NUMEROUS  MISSIONS  HELD  IN  VARIOUS  PLACES,   195 

influencing  the  people  to  go  to  church  by  every  variety  of 
means,  in  one  way  or  other,  giving  up  their  whole  time  to 
their  work,  is  it  a  wonder  that  the  churches  are  crowded  ?" 
The  editor  of  an  English  paper  devoted  to  the  interest 
of  "  Dissenters*'  admits  that  evangelistic  work,  second  to 
none,  is  being  carried  on  within  the  borders  of  the  Church 
of  England  by  holy  men  of  God  whose  love  for  souls  and 
devotedness  in  preaching  Christ's  Gospel  is  a  pattern  to  all 
others,  and  with  a  prayerfulness,  and  method,  and  a  thor- 
oughness which  produce  results  in  which  all  Christians 
must  greatly  rejoice. 


196  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

RESULTS    OF    THE    PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS. 

Elastic  Use  of  the  Liturgy — Clerical  Harmony — After-meetings 
— Evangelists  Needed — Canon  Fremantle — Advice  to  Clergy- 
men—  What  is  "  Guinea-Pig  Tameness  "? 

The  London  Prelent  Mission  marks  a  new  era  in  the 
history  of  the  Church  of  England.  It  was  a  bold  religious 
measure,  but  the  results  justify  its  wisdom  and  importance. 
The  bishops,  wisely  discerning  the  signs  of  the  times, 
boldly  met  the  emergency.  To  keep  the  increasing  name 
of  revival  within  the  Church,  they  said  to  the  evangelists  : 
"  Go  forward  with  your  mission  work,  and  we  will  labor 
with  you." 

Through  God's  blessing  the  London  mission  has  been 
successful,  and  we  condense  the  admitted  good  results.  The 
noble  attitude  of  the  bishops  and  archbishops  showed  their 
willingness  to  co-operate  in  every  good  work  ;  displayed 
the  aggressive  spirit  of  the  Anglican  Communion,  and  rec- 
ognized "  the  need  of  evangelists  to  conquer,  as  well  as 
pastors  and  teachers  to  retain  and  organize,  what  is  won 
for  Christ." 

(a)  In  one  of  the  mission  sermons  preached  in  Westmin- 
ster Abbey  Dr.  Vaughan  declared  that  enthusiasm  is  an  ele- 
ment of  power,  and  protested  against  the  idea  that  enthu- 
siasm is  foreign  to  the  spirit  of  the  Church  of  England. 
The  London  mission  was  a  practical  demonstration  of  the 


RESULTS  OF   THE   PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.  197 

efficiency  of  holy  fervor.  And,  in  view  of  our  guiding 
rubrics  and  restraining  canons,  holy  enthusiasm  should 
be  fostered  and  regulated  by  the  Church,  and  neither  be 
refrigerated  within  nor  driven  to  the  outside.  Ministers 
are  needed  to  "  Blow  the  trumpet  in  Zion,  and  sound  an 
alarm  in  God's  holy  mountain,"  as  well  as  to  obey  the 
mandate,  "  Comfort  ye,  My  people,  speak  ye  comfortably 
to  Jerusalem." 

A  London  editorial  watchman  says  :  "  It  is  almost  im- 
possible not  to  see  that,  if  such  an  outlet  for  enthusiasm 
had  been  possible  in  the  days  of  Wesley  and  Whitefield, 
their  preaching  might  have  simply  produced  that  revival 
within  the  Church  which  they  originally  contemplated,  in- 
stead of  leaving  behind  it  a  new  sect."  It  has  been  said 
that  England  has  starved  some  of  her  great  men,  but 
erected  costly  monuments  to  their  memory  after  their  de- 
cease. The  Westminster  Abbey  monument  to  the  Wes- 
leys  is  an  acknowledgment  now  of  their  ability  and  use- 
fulness ! 

(d)  The  London  mission  has  also  demonstrated  that  a 
more  elastic  use  of  our  beautiful  liturgy  may  be  sanc- 
tioned without  danger  ;  and  that  while  the  full  services 
for  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer  are  desirable  on  Sun- 
days, selections  therefrom  are  more  profitable  for  mission 
services,  and  better  adapted  for  aggressive  Church  work, 
to  grasp  wanderers  from  the  wilderness  and  place  them  in 
the  fold.  The  mission  removed  the  reproach  against  the 
Church  respecting  "  cast-iron  rigidity,"  and  proved  the 
elasticity  of  her  system  to  embrace  and  benefit  all  classes. 
Even  at  a  special  service  for  thieves,  costermongers  and 
street  roughs,  they  willingly  took  part  in  an  abbreviated 
service  ;  and  when  the  Lord's  Prayer  was  said  their  united 
voices  resembled  "  the  roll  of  a  great  diapason  on  some 
fine  organ."     And  as  the  liturgical  service  was  brief  they 


198  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

listened    attentively  to    the    sermon    that    followed  ;    and 
some,  we  hope,  were  benefited. 

(V)  The  mission  proved  that  churchmen  termed  "  High' 
and  "  Low"  and  "  Broad"  could  for  a  season  forget  their 
differences,  and  make  "  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified  " 
the  grand  centre  of  their  teaching,  and  unitedly  labor  to 
pluck  souls  from  ruin  to  deck  the  Saviour's  diadem.  At 
the  different  mission  centres  the  evangelists  set  forth  the 
necessity  of  repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  ;  offered  in  Christ's  name  a  free  and  full  and 
present  salvation,  and  showed  that  God  pardoneth  and 
absolveth  all  those  who  truly  repent  and  unfeignedly  be- 
lieve His  Holy  Gospel.  Differences  that  divide  were  for- 
gotten ;  and  it  is  admitted  that  those  who  could  not  work 
in  parallel  lines  used  each  other's  agencies,  and  all  seemed 
anxious  to  seek  and  save  the  lost.  During  the  mission 
the  radiant  light  beaming  from  the  cross  was  not  obscured 
by  the  smoke  of  bitter  party  controversy. 

id)  The  mission  proved  the  importance  of  individual 
dealing  with  souls.  Through  the  after-meetings  seed  that 
without  them  would  have  perished  has  brought  forth 
fruit  ;  for,  without  the  personal  conversations,  the  mission 
would  have  resembled  a  large  fishing  net  cast  into  the 
waters  but  not  drawn  ashore. 

(e)  Through  the  mission  a  stronger  bond  of  sympathy 
was  established  between  the  scattered  clergy.  Zeal  in  one 
inspired  zeal  in  another.  Different  ones  saw  that  they 
may  labor  in  a  large  circle,  and  that,  wThile  one  may  inter- 
est the  intellect  of  his  hearers  by  his  syllogisms,  another 
can  move  the  heart  by  an  earnest  Gospel  appeal.  And 
Canon  Ryle  says  :  "  The  practical  result  I  want  to  see  pro- 
duced by  the  mission  is  a  complete  reform  in  the  preaching 
of  our  clergy,  a  reform  in  our  pulpits,  a  reform  in  the 
style,  the  composition,  the  delivery  of  our  sermons.     I  do 


RESULTS   OF    THE    PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS.  199 

trust  that  the  preaching  of  the  missioners  may  produce  a 
thorough  revival  of  the  English  pulpit.  I  hope  that  many 
will  lay  aside  forever  that  orthodox  prosiness,  that  re- 
spectable dulness,  that  leaden  heaviness,  that  first-person- 
plural  vagueness,  that  guinea-pig-like  tameness,  those 
dreary  commonplaces,  which  the  laity  too  often  complain 
of  as  the  characteristics  of  the  modern  parson's  sermon. 
Oh,  that  the  mission  work  may  generate  in  clergymen  a 
greater  desire  after  directness,  liveliness,  boldness,  fire, 
energy,  and  earnestness  in  speaking  to  the  people  from  the 
pulpit  about  their  souls.  ...  It  is  my  firm  belief  that  if 
five  out  of  six  of  our  church  clergy  would  burn  all  their 
sermons  to-morrow,  and  resolve  to  preach  in  a  new  style, 
it  would  be  an  immense  blessing  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. If  the  '  mission  '  produces  no  other  result  than  a 
complete  reform  in  preaching,  it  will  prove  to  have  been  a 
great  gain." 

(/)  The  mission  culminating  so  successfully  proved  that 
evangelists  can  labor  in  perfect  harmony  with  rectors,  and 
that  missions  can  be  held  in  perfect  harmony  with  our  pa- 
rochial system.  The  Rev.  Canon  Fremantle  has  been  for 
some  time  actually  engaged  in  mission  work,  and  made  it 
a  special  study  in  order  to  read  his  paper  on  "  Parochial 
Missions"  before  the  Leeds  Church  Congress.  Previous 
to  sailing  for  home  the  Canon  wrote  to  the  author  from 
Claydon  Rectory,  Sussex  :  "  I  beg  to  thank  you  for  a  copy 
of  '  Aggressive  Work,'  by  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan,  which  ar- 
rived to-day.  The  mission  movement  has  now  been  suf- 
ficiently tried  to  enable  us  to  form  somewhat  safe  con- 
clusions as  to  its  operation." 

Having  taken  part  in  the  work  in  several  parts  of  England 
— in  villages,  in  towns,  in  Liverpool,  Oxford,  and  London 
— I  can  only  say  that  the  result  coming  under  my  own  ob- 
servation   has  been   the  same  in    all.      The    preaching  of 


200  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Christ  has  drawn  souls  to  Him,  a  fresh  life  has  been  com- 
municated to  the  ministry,  and  a  power  developed  which 
seemed  to  have  been  unknown  before.  Whether  this  is  to 
assume  more  of  a  chronic  form  or  not  I  will  not  presume 
to  say  ;  but  I  do  not  think  that  a  parish  or  congregation 
in  which  the  blessings  of  a  revival  have  been  experienced 
will  soon  relapse  into  its  former  state.  You  cannot  stop  a 
fountain.  If  it  does  not  find  a  vent  in  one  stratum  it  will 
in  another.     It  will  spring  up  into  "  everlasting  life." 


PART    III. 


PREFATORY    NOTES. 

The  gradual  but  successful  progress  of  the  "  Parochial 
Mission"  has  called  forth  devout  thanksgiving  to  Almighty 
God  from  rectors  and  missioners  and  the  numerous  souls 
who  have  been  saved  at  mission  services.  And  if  the 
Church  continue  to  obey  the  command,  "  Take  hold  of 
my  strength,  saith  Jehovah,"  the  blessings  already  vouch- 
safed are  but  the  first-fruits  of  an  abundant  spiritual  harvest. 
God  is  still  merciful  and  gracious,  and  not  willing  that  any 
should  perish.  He  pardoneth  and  absolveth  all  those  w,ho 
truly  repent  and  unfeignedly  believe  His  Holy  Gospel. 
His  appointed  means  of  grace  are  still  efficient,  and  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  continues  to  shine  without  the  least 
waste  of  fervor  or  decrease  of  brightness.  And  that  His 
servants  continue  to  bring  sin-sick  souls  beneath  His  heal- 
ing beams,  and  be  duly  qualified  for  this  important  work, 
Archbishops  and  Bishops  devoutly  pray  :  "  Most  merci- 
ful Father,  we  beseech  Thee  to  send  upon  thy  servants 
thy  heavenly  blessing,  that  they  may  be  clothed  with 
righteousness,  and  that  thy  Word  spoken  by  their  mouths 
may  have  such  success  that  <it  may  never  be  spoken  in 
vain."  Rectors  and  missioners  say  "  Amen,"  and  pray 
for  themselves,  saying  :  "  O  Lord,  my  God  !  I  am  not 
worthy  that  Thou  shouldest  come  under  my  roof  ;  yet 
Thou  hast  .honored  thy  servant  with  appointing  him  to 
stand   in  thy  house,  and   to  serve  at  thy  holy  altar  !     To 


202  PREFATORY  NOTES. 

Thee  and  to  thy  service  I  devote  myself,  body,  and  soul, 
and  spirit,  with  all  their  powers  and  faculties.  Fill  my 
memory  with  the  words  of  thy  law  ;  enlighten  my  under- 
standing with  the  illumination  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  and 
may  all  the  wishes  and  desires  of  my  will  centre  in  what 
Thou  hast  commanded,  and  make  me  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  salvation  of  the  people.  .  .  .  Grant  that  I 
may  faithfully  administer  thy  holy  Sacraments,  and  by  my 
life  and  doctrine  set  forth  thy  true  and  lively  Word.  Be 
ever  with  me  in  the  performance  of  all  the  duties  of  my 
ministry — in  prayer,  to  quicken  my  devotion  ;  in  praises, 
to  heighten  my  love  and  gratitude  ;  and  in  preaching,  to 
give  a  readiness  of  thought  and  expression  suitable  to  the 
clearness  and  excellency  of  thy  Holy  Word.  Grant  this 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  Son  our  Saviour.'/ 

And  that  the  ministers  of  the  Everlasting  Gospel  may  con- 
secrate body,  soul,  and  spirit  to  their  great  work,  and  in 
thought  and  word  and  deed,  honor  God  and  glorify  His 
Son,  they  pray  : 

"  More  holiness  give  us,  more  strivings  within  ; 
More  patience  in  suffering,  more  sorrow  for  sin  ; 
More  faith  in  our  Saviour,  more  sense  of  His  care  ; 
More  joy  in  His  service,  more  purpose  in  prayer  ; 
More  purity  give  us,  more  strength  to  o'ercome  ; 
More  freedom  from  earth  stains,  more  longings  for  home  ; 
More  fit  for  the  kingdom,  more  used  would  we  be  ; 
More  blessed  and  holy — more,  Saviour,  like  Thee." 


REASONS  FOR   THE  AUTHOR  S  SPEEDY  RETURA 


CHAPTER    I. 

REASONS    FOR    THE    AUTHOR' S    SPEEDY    RETURN    TO    AMERICA. 

The  Duty  of  Christ  s  Church — Christian  Bodies  Active — Propor- 
tion of  Churchmen  to  the  Population — Unemployed  Clergy- 
men— Statistics  Misleading  —  Unreasonable  Expectations — 
Practical  Questions  — The  Apostles  Resolved  and  Acted — A 
Bishop 's  Lamentation — Faith  and  Works — Imitating  Method- 
ists—  The  Church  Sky  Brightens — The  Wo?iderful  Contrast. 

"  Why  did  you  not  stay  in  England,  where  missions  are 
well  under- way  ?"  is  a  question  which  has  been  verbally 
answered.  In  the  Anglican  Church  are  about  twenty- 
four  thousand  clergymen,  in  the  branch  in  America 
less  than  four  thousand.  In  England  are  two  Missioner 
Brotherhoods,  the  Cowley  Fathers,  and  the  Staff  of  Clergy 
of  the  Church  of  England  Parochial  Mission  Society.  In 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  Almanac  numerous 
names  have  A.M.,  D.D.,  S.T.D.,  LL.D.,  attached,  but  not 
more  than  four  have  "  Evang."  for  Evangelist  affixed.  Im- 
mediately after  the  London  Prelent  Mission  the  Evangelist 
returned  to  his  adopted  country,  to  cry  aloud  with  tongue 
and  pen, 

AWAKE  !    AWAKE  !    PUT    ON    THY    STRENGTH,   O    ZION." 

The  Church  of  Christ  was  organized  to  meet  the  spiritual 
wants  of  all  people,  in  all  places,  through  all  time.  Christ 
commissioned  His  ministers  to  go  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  and    promised  to   be 


204  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

with  His  faithful  servants  until  the  end  of  the  world.  It 
is  therefore  the  duty  of  the  Church,  and  of  each  true  branch 
thereof,  to  make  suitable  provision  for  the  spiritual  neces- 
sities of  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor. 

Yet  in  the  majority  of  places  no  church  accommodation 
has  been  provided  for  three  fourths  of  the  perishing  popu- 
lation ;  and  as  outdoor  services  would  be  frowned  upon, 
the  masses  are  practically  cut  off  from  the  means  of  grace, 
and  thousands  die  annually  to  whom  the  Church  has  never 
ministered  !  In  thousands  of  places  our  Church  has  never 
uttered  a  promise  nor  sounded  a  warning  ;  and  the  un- 
employed clergy  refuse  to  visit  such  places  because  "  there 
are  no  churchmen  there  f"  In  every  diocese,  in  every  State, 
multitudes  are  strangers  to  the  spiritual  privileges  in 
Christ's  Holy  Catholic  and  Apostolic  Church.  But  few 
are  aware  that  our  complete  Church  system,  properly 
rendered  and  efficiently  worked,  distances  all  competi- 
tion ;  and  that  our  unbroken  circle  of  doctrine  and  prim- 
itive Church  polity  combine  Truth,  Order  and  Beauty, 
and  that  when  known  must  be  appreciated. 

OTHER    CHRISTIAN    BODIES    ARE    ACTIVE. 

At  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Bible  and  Publication 
Society,  held  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  in  a  statistical  ad- 
dress on  the  work  of  Baptists  for  the  next  half  century, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Broadus  said  :  "  Before  leaving  this  topic  I 
would  say  that  we  must  keep  our  hold  on  the  masses.  A  well- 
known  Episcopal  Bishop  once  said  :  '  In  the  providence  of 
God  it  seems  that  our  Church  is  called  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  the  wealthy  classes.'  Dear,  good  old  man  !  What 
a  wonder  it  did  not  strike  him,  as  it  did  several  hundreds 
who  heard  him,  that  a  proof  cf  the  presence  of  the  Saviour 
was,  according  to  Scripture,  that  '  the  poor  had  the  Gospel 
preached  unto  them  !  '   .   .    .   We  must  keep  our  hold  on  the 


RE.  I  .s\  \YS  /•'(  >,V    HIE  AU  T/WR' S  SPEED  V  RE  Tl  'AW  , 


masses,  must  rise  with  the  masses,  yea,  must  struggle  up, 
and  lift  the  masses  with  us." 

To  reach  the  masses  during  the  year,  the  Baptists  have 
sent  ministers  and  colporteurs  into  our  organized  dioceses 
and  missionary  jurisdictions.  The  colporteurs,  Sunday- 
school  missionaries,  and  missionary  secretaries  together 
have  labored  equal  to  8315  days  ;  travelled  198,236  miles  ; 
sold  809  Bibles,  826  Testaments  :  1635  volumes  ;  given 
away  781  Bibles,  2537  Testaments,  1231  other  books  ; 
distributed  242,361  pages  of  tracts  ;  preached  2712  sermons  ; 
made  4128  addresses  ;  held  2003  prayer-meetings  ;  visited 
18,862  families  ;  baptized  310  persons  ;  constituted  16 
churches  ;  organized  358  Sunday-schools,  and  appointed 
2302  teachers  to  instruct  the  17,665  scholars.  In  the  same 
dioceses  and  missionary  jurisdictions  the  Methodists,  Con- 
gregationalists,  Presbyterians,  and  others  are  forming  Sun- 
day-schools and  doing  missionary  work. 

If  denominational  ministrations  are  by  God  unauthorized 
and  therefore  invalid,  why  is  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
America  not  more  anxious  concerning  the  multitudes  who 
are  daily  perishing  ?  Bishop  Stevens  sounded  a  stirring 
Gospel  note  to  incite  the  Church  to  duty  :  "  The  Church 
of  Christ  was  designed  to  represent  Him  on  earth,  and  to 
minister  to  all  the  moral  needs  of  the  human  race.  The 
work,  then,  is  not  done  when  she  sends  out  preachers  and 
teachers  ;  when  she  exhibits  sacraments  and  liturgies  ; 
when  she  sets  up  churches  at  home  and  mission  stations 
abroad.  She  must  grope  her  way  into  the  alleys,  and 
courts,  and  purlieus  of  the  city,  and  up  the  broken  stair- 
case, and  into  the  bare  room,  and  beside  the  loathsome 
sufferer.  She  must  go  down  into  the  pit  with  the  miner, 
into  the  forecastle  with  the  sailor,  into  the  tent  with  the 
soldier,  into  the  shop  with  the  mechanic,  into  the  factory 
with  the  operative,  into  the  field  with  the  farmer,  and  into 


206  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  counting-room  with  the  merchant,  .  .  .  for  the  Church 
was  organized,  commissioned  and  equipped  for  the  moral 
renovation  of  the  world." 

Centuries  ago  England  was  divided  into  parishes. 
To  some  particular  parish  each  soul  nominally  belongs. 
But  though  there  are  about  twenty-four  thousand  clergy- 
men to  make  the  parochial  system  effective,  it  has  been 
confessed  that  unless  something  be  done  to  supplement 
ordinary  parochial  efforts,  the  parochial  system  must 
ignominiously  fail.  What,  then,  is  the  condition  of  the 
United  States  with  about  three  thousand  working  clergy- 
men, and  but  one  churchman  to  each  175  persons  of  the 
vast  population  ?  In  thousands  of  places  in  the  United 
States  we  have  no  parish,  no  mission  station,  no  represen- 
tation !  As  the  Church  Christ  organized  was  designed  for 
all  places,  for  all  time,  and  for  all  people,  Bishop  Stevens 
says  :  "  Our  work  is  not  to  build  up  the  Church  as  a 
mere  ecclesiastical  establishment,  as  human  architects, 
with  canons  of  conventions,  and  rubrics,  and  ritual,  would 
build  it — a  splendid  structure  of  Episcopal  grandeur  and 
liturgical  magnificence  ;  but  our  work  is  to  save  souls,  to 
build  them  up  into  a  living  temple,  to  hold  up  Christ  as 
the  Saviour  of  the  world  ;  like  the  air,  the  Church  must 
press  equally  on  all  the  surfaces  of  society  ;  like  the  sea, 
flow  into  every  nook  of  the  shore  line  of  humanity  ;  and 
like  the  sun,  shine  on  all  things  fouj  and  low,  as  well  as 
fair  and  high. 

"  In  America  there  are  scores  of  clergymen  who  are 
unemployed  and  anxiously  (and  vainly)  seeking  for  em- 
ployment. Meanwhile  the  societies  and  bishops  are 
crying  aloud  :  '  Give  us  men,  that  we  may  make  ministers 
of  them  ! '  And  when  pointed  to  these  unemployed  and 
needy  ministers  '  tout  fait,'  they  reply  :  '  Oh  !  they  are  not 
what  we  want.     It  is   not  merely  ministers  that  we  need, 


►  FOR   THE  AUTHOR'S  SPEEDY  RETURN. 


but  a  certain  kind.  We  cannot  support  married  men  at  all. 
We  want  young  men,  full  of  life,  strength,  and  zeal,  such 
as  can  live  on  a  trifle  ;  such  as  we  can  squeeze  thoroughly 
until  they  marry  or  grow  old,  and  then  we  shall  need  new 
ones.'  And  these  societies  and  bishops  wonder  that  the 
candidates  do  not  appear." 

Now,  unless  we  awake,  and  put  on  our  strength,  and 
do  the  work  for  which  the  Church  was  established,  while 
we  may  call  the  territory  of  the  United  States  so  many 
dioceses,  the  various  denominations  will  gain  and  control 
the  vast  masses  of  the  people.  Many  of  our  beloved 
bishops  realize  this.  Their  hearts  ache  because  they  have 
not  the  money  to  pay  the  expenses  of  an  unemployed 
clergyman  to  labor  for  a  time  in  one  of  the  many  places 
where  we  have  no  representation,  and  to  do  what  has  been 
too  long  left  undone  ;  some  wealthy  congregations  are  un- 
willing that  their  rectors,  after  the  manner  of  the  Apostles, 
should  occasionally  carry  the  Gospel  privileges  and  Church 
luxuries  they  enjoy  to  the  neglected  and  spiritually  des- 
titute !  Under  "  the  Church's  quiet  ways  "  multitudes  are 
perishing,  and  souls  are  passing  to  their  account  to  whom 
she  has  in  no  way  ministered. 

Should  a  stranger  from  a  foreign  clime  read  the  reports 
of  our  Diocesan  Conventions,  the  records  of  Missionary 
Convocations,  the  comprehensive  resolutions,  the  statistics 
respecting  missionaries  and  mission  stations,  Church 
Guilds  and  Sunday-schools,  from  the  printed  account  of  our 
parochial  machinery,  he  would  conclude  that  the  millen- 
nium, if  not  already  here,  is  dawning.  But  though  every 
statistic  is  accurate,  and  every  resolution  was  actually 
passed,  and  every  Missionary  Convocation  actually  as- 
sembled, and  every  mission  station  truly  exists  ;  yet,  let 
said  stranger  visit  the  parish  reporting  the  largest  number 
of  communicants,  and   what  will  be  the  result  ?     When  he 


THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


learns  that  within  the  bounds  of  that  parish  numbering 
seven  hundred  communicants  are  seven  thousand  souls 
who  are  on  the  broad  road  to  death,  and  whose  feet  never 
cross  the  threshold  of  any  place  of  worship,  will  he  not  ask  : 
11  Is  the  Church  doing  the  work  for  which  she  was  estab- 
lished, to  seek  and  save  the  lost  ?' '  And  when  said  stranger 
is  told  that  the  confirmation  class  numbered  nearly  one 
hundred,  but  learns  that  during  the  year  a  larger  number 
died,  some  never  baptized,  and  the  majority  never  con- 
firmed, will  he  not  say  :  "  Your  parochial  report  misled 
me  ;  for,  though  strictly  accurate,  now  I  have  learned  the 
extent  of  your  parish,  and  the  numerous  unsaved  souls 
within  its  limits,  my  heart  is  sad  "? 

Should  the  same  stranger  visit  a  few  sample  mission 
stations,  and  see  the  dispirited  missionaries  whose  strug- 
gles with  poverty  have  weakened  their  energies  and 
cramped  their  talents,  and  learn  that  single  men  are  desired, 
that  married  contributors  may  give  still  less  for  missions, 
and  the  very  small  "  stipend  "  be  further  reduced,  will  he 
not  ask  :  "  Is  this  the  Apostolic  method  of  Church  aggression  V 
And  when  he  sees  the  mission  congregation,  a  mere  hand- 
ful of  people,  of  a  population  numbering  thousands,  will 
he  not  ask  :  "  How  long  would  it  have  taken  to  change  the 
heathen  temples  in  Rome  into  Christian  churches  accord- 
ing to  a  method  of  mission  work  that  would  clip  the  wings  * 
of  a  mission  seraph  ?  "  No  censure  is  intended  to  the  rectors 
of  the  parishes,  whose  reports  mislead  because  they  give 
no. statistics  of  the  godless  who  defy  God  and  shun  His 
sanctuary.  The  rectors  and  the  missionaries  are  doing  all 
they  can  do,  and  are  battling  with  difficulties  formidable 
and  discouraging.  But  this  is  certain  :  there  is  a  disparity 
between  the  end  and  the  means  ;  for  one  man  cannot  do 
what  six  men  could  not  fully  accomplish. 

A  parish  in  America  embraces  the  territory  within  whose 


REASONS  FOR  THE  AUTHOR'S  SPEEDY  RETURN.    209 

limits  no  other  clergyman  can  officiate  without  the  Rector's 
invitation  or  permission.  In  many  parishes  it  is  utterly 
impossible  for  one  minister  to  do  what  ought  to  be  done. 
Within  the  limits  of  some  parishes  are  from  five  to  ten 
thousand  persons.  If  all  felt  disposed  to  attend  divine 
worship,  the  building  would  not  hold  a  tenth  of  the 
number.  Not  far  from  the  church  are  public  houses  and 
places  of  sinful  amusement.  On  Sundays  fathers  and 
mothers  desecrate  the  Lord's  Day,  and  their  children  run 
wild  in  the  streets.  Many  spend  Sunday  feasting,  reading 
newspapers,  or  sleeping.  Moral  cancers  that  defile  and 
destroy  society  exist  within  sound  of  the  church  bell. 

The  church-goers  expect  weekly  two  elaborate  and 
eloquent  sermons,  that  the  Rector  visit  the  sick,  bury  the 
dead,  make  numerous  parochial  calls,  and  spend  a  portion 
of  his  time  at  social  parties,  and  in  addition  evangelize  the 
region  !  There  is  no  congruity  between  the  end  and  the 
agency  ;  and  because  one  man  cannot  grapple  with  the 
difficulties  to  be  encountered,  and  do  the  work  for  which 
the  Church  was  organized,  multitudes  remain  godless  and 
indifferent.  Now,  as  the  Saviour  came  from  heaven  to  earth 
"  to  seek  and  save  the  lost,"  and  died  on  Calvary  to  open 
the  door  of  salvation  to  all,  and  commissioned  His  minis- 
ters to  "  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,"  is  the 
Church,  Christ's  representative  on  earth,  performing  her 
duty  ?  Should  not  the  already  overworked  rectors  receive 
assistance  ?  Is  it  not  the  duty  of  the  laity  to  furnish  them 
with  means  to  call  to  their  aid  evangelizing  helpers  ? 

Has  the  Church  fulfilled  her  mission  when  she  has  pro- 
vided the  luxuries  of  worship  for  the  rich  and  the  genteel  ? 
Have  the  ministers  completed  their  duties  when  parishes 
have  been  successfully  organized,  and  a  sufficient  number 
of  pews  rented  to  meet  current  expenses  ?  Do  we  not  act 
as  placidly  as    if   our  few   churches   contained  "  the  elect," 


210  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

and  as  if  the  millions  who  attend  no  place  of  worship  are 
the  reprobates  doomed  to  perish,  and  that  to  attempt  to  save 
them  will  be  useless  ?  Do  we  not  live  too  much  in  idealism 
instead  of  realism  ?  Do  we  not  meditate  too  much  on  the 
dead  past,  and  forget  the  living  present  ?  Have  we  not 
read  of  the  achievements  of  the  Church  in  time  past,  the 
obstacles  she  has  surmounted,  the  conquests  she  has  gained, 
and  forgotten  the  hosts  of  living  foes  now  marshalled 
against  her  ?  Have  we  not  listened  to  the  prayers  and 
praises  of  successive  generations  sounding  through  the 
trumpet  of  history,  mingling  with  the  thanksgivings  still 
ascending,  and  closed  our  ear  to  the  oaths  and  curses  that 
rend  the  air  ?  Have  we  not  dwelt  on  the  aesthetic  and  de- 
votional beauties  of  our  admirable  liturgy,  and  the  faith- 
preserving  power  of  our  creed,  recited  by  the  saints  for 
eighteen  centuries  ;  and  joined  in  the  true  confession  that 
"  the  Cathedral  service  is  the  very  highest  ideal  of  the 
earthly  worship  of  Almighty  God  ?  The  building  seems  so 
full  of  the  ages  of  song  that  the  old  echoes  are  awakened  to 
become  the  chorus  of  the  anthems  of  to-day  ;  the  carved  an- 
gelic corbels  lean  over  the  surpliced  singers,  till  one  won- 
ders whether  they  are  listening  to  or  making  the  music  of 
the  services  ;  the  Psalter,  as  they  chant  it,  furnishes  every 
verse  with  the  thoughtful  modulations  and  adaptations 
of  the  organ  and  voices,  a  comment  on  its  meaning,  as 
though  a  seraph  sang  a  sermon  on  the  words  ;  and  the 
ringing  '  Amen,'  or  the  pleading  entreaty  of  the  Confession, 
or  Litany,  answer,  awaken,  and  satisfy  the  most  intense 
idea  of  penitence  or  praise."  Yet,  when  we  dwell  on  the 
glories  and  attractions  of  our  Church,  and,  elevated  by  her 
rich  service,  sing  : 

"  My  soul  would  sweetly  stay 
In  such  a  frame  as  this, 
And  gladly  sing  herself  away 
To  everlasting  bliss," 


REASONS  FOR   THE  AUTHOR'S  SPEED  Y  RETURN.    211 

do  we  not  forget  that  those  who  pray  and  praise  are  but 
few,  and  that  by  the  multitude  God  is  defied,  and  His  holy 
Name  blasphemed  ? 

What  are  the 'glories  of  the  Church  of  the  past  to  the 
unsaved  living  generation  ?  What  are  liturgical  beauties 
printed  on  paper  to  the  living  multitudes  who  forget  God? 
What  is  the  wise  arrangement  of  the  ecclesiastical  seasons 
to  the  masses  who  from  Advent  to  Advent  never  bow  the 
knee  in  penitence  at  home,  and  at  no  season  enter  God's 
sanctuary  to  praise  Him  ?  Of  what  use  are  the  missionary 
resolutions  of  convocations  and  conventions,  if  merely 
moved,  seconded,  carried,  and  printed,  and  not  carried 
out  with  self-denying  and  energetic  action  ?  The  Apostles 
resolved  and  acted.  Church  work  was  not  marked  down 
on  paper  only,  but  recorded  on  living  hearts.  It  has  been 
affirmed  that  while  we  have  no  book  containing  the  mere 
resolutions  of  the  Apostles,  we  have  the  book  faithfully  re- 
cording the  "acts  of  the  Apostles."  From  this  book  we 
learn  that  they  preached  the  Gospel  in  all  places,  to  high 
and  low,  and  rich  and  poor.  By  concentrating  our 
principal  strength  on  organized  and  strong  parishes,  have 
we  not  made  the  impression  that  our  souls  yearn  only  for 
the  salvation  of  the  wealthy  and  the  respectable  ? 

God  designs  that  the  righteousness  of  His  Church  go 
forth  with  brightness,  and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a  lamp 
that  burneth.  He  who  said,  "  /am  the  Light  of  the  world  " 
said  to  His  disciples,  "  Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world." 
The  Church,  having  light,  must  not  place  it  under  a  bushel  ; 
and  having  blessings  for  the  world,  she  must  not  conceal 
them.  For  as  the  Church  was  established  to  shed  forth 
light,  and  show  to  those  in  darkness  the  road  to  ceaseless 
bliss,  it  is  high  time  to  awake  out  of  sleep,  and  shine  upon 
the  sons  of  wretchedness. 


212  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

THE   BROAD  ROAD  TO  WOE  IS  CROWDED. 

Vast  multitudes  are  living  without  God.  Infidels  dar- 
ingly deny  His  existence.  Looseness  of  thought  has  led 
to  looseness  of  conduct.  Doubt  and  vice  are  walking 
hand  in  hand.  Crime  and  profligacy  are  on  the  increase. 
Existing  prisons  are  full,  and  more  are  needed.  Perilous 
times  have  surely  come,  for  evil  men  and  seducers  are  wax- 
ing worse  and  worse.  Many  are  giving  heed  to  seducing 
spirits  and  doctrines  of  demons.  Satan  is  going  forth  as 
an  angel  of  light.  The  world  has  formed  an  alliance  with 
the  Church,  and  is  leading  her  with  soft  but  unrelenting 
grasp.  Christians  go  to  the  opera  .  .  .  and  the  opera 
has  been  invited  to  the  Church.  Faith  is  weak,  and 
love  cold,  and  hope  dim.  Some  have  departed  from  the 
faith  ;  and  some  who  havre  not  are  not  Christ's  living 
epistles.     Infidelity  gains  strength  through 

THE  WORLDLINESS    OF  CHRISTIANS. 

The  Saviour's  foes  assert  that  "  Christianity  exerts  so 
little  influence  upon  its  followers,  makes  them  so  little 
superior  to  other  men,  allows  them  to  exhibit  so  much  mean- 
ness, overreaching,  and  lack  of  integrity  and  holiness  of 
spirit,  love  of  even  sinful  amusements,  that  it  is  questionable 
whether  Christianity  is  at  all  a  very  mighty  transforming 
power  !"  Though  all  do  not  thus  act,  they  have  to  share 
the  reproach  brought  on  Christ's  body.  Because  the  pre- 
vailing worldliness  is  slaying  the  spiritual  life  of  multi- 
tudes, some  cry,  with  Jeremiah,  "  Oh  that  my  head  were 
waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of  my 
people." 

EPISCOPAL  LAMENTATION. 

Zion's  overseers  are  sad  that  the  Church  is  not  as  a 
crown  of  glory   in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  dia- 


.V  E .  I  Si  WS  FOR    7  'HE  AUTHO  R  'S  SP  E  E  D  J '  R  E  T  UR .  \ '. 

dem  in  the  hand  of  her  God.  Bishop  Huntington,  whose 
praise  is  in  all  the  churches,  and  whose  heart  yearns  for 
the  welfare  of  the  Church  and  the  glory  of  her  Head,  says  : 
"  In  some  of  our  congregations  the  apathy  is  fearful.  A 
torpid  routine  of  prescribed  performances  appears  to  be  about 
all  that  is  left  among  them  of  the  original  operation  of  the 
Church  of  God.  Fashion  overlays  devotion  with  a  hand- 
some but  impious  display.  Levity  and  self -indulgence  eat 
out  the  heart  cf  all  earnest  faith.  The  Holy  Ghost  has 
been  grieved  away,  and  is  not  entreated  to  return.  .  .  .  A 
polite  indifference  or  an  obstinate  unbelief  in  the  people 
gradually  benumbs  the  energies  and  deadens  the  zeal  of  the 
minister  with  a  fatal  chill  /" 

Instructed  and  wakeful  Christians  believe  revealed  doc- 
trines, and  perform  prescribed  duties.  Obedience  to 
Christ's  command  is  the  proof  that  Christ  is  truly  loved. 
The  neglect  of  prescribed  duty  implies  the  non-exercise  of 
faith.  Though  good  works  are  not  meritorious,  it  is  not 
meritorious  to  substitute  evil  deeds.  St.  James  asks, 
"  What  doth  it  profit,  though  a  man  say  I  have  faith,  and 
have  not  works  ?  Can  faith  save  him  ?"  Good  works  have 
been  termed//^  ther?nometer  of  faith,  and  may  be  considered 
sound  faith  in  action.  Faith  without  works  is  dead,  being 
alone.  The  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  must  be  set 
forth,  also  its  kindred  duties  ;  for  many  who  profess  to 
believe  orthodox  doctrine  live  heterodox  lives  !  While 
we  read  :  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accep- 
tation, that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sin- 
ners,"' we  also  read,  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  I  will 
that  thou  affirm  constantly,  that  they  who  have  be- 
lieved in  God  might  be  careful  to  maintain  good  works." 
Now,  as  good  works  embrace  the  performance  of  our 
personal  duties  to  God  and  to  man,  and  the  prescribed 
duties  to  upbuild  Christ's  Church,  therefore  the   slumber- 


214  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ers  in  Zion  must  be  aroused  from  their  slumbers.  The 
indolent  must  go  into  the  vineyard.  The  saved  must 
labor  to  save  others.  The  riches  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus 
are  for  the  perishing  multitudes.  Practical  Christianity 
does  not  resemble  electricity  in  a  glass  jar  sparkling  on 
Sunday  mornings  amid  sounds  of  operatic  music,  but  is 
like  the  electricity  fertilizing  the  soil,  and  causing  flow- 
ers to  bloom  and  fruits  to  ripen.  During  Christ's  ab- 
sence His  servants  must  work  for  Him,  and  each  obey 
the  mandate,  "  Occupy  till  I  come.**  Labor  for  the  Lord 
is  not  a  pulpit  monopoly.  The  faithful  laity  may  share 
work  for  the  Lord  with  the  consecrated  clergy.  The 
command  "  Be  ye  steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord"  was  not  addressed  to  the 
College  of  Apostles,  nor  to  a  diocesan  or  triennial  conven- 
tion, norto  any  "  Reverend  an dr Dear  Brother,"  but  to  the 
lay  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Corinth,  whom  St. 
Paul  styles  "  my  beloved  brethren" 

Because  St.  Paul  co-operated  with  the  Corinthians  for 
their  personal  salvation  and  usefulness  to  others,  he  uses 
the  expressive  phrase  "  zuorkers  together."  Where  there  is 
conflict  success  is  hindered  ;  but  where  there  is  harmony 
great  results  follow.  Successful  Church  work  depends 
more  on  devotion  and  unity  than  on  wealth  and  numbers. 
And  the  active  in  parishes  who  work  against  their  rectors 
really  work  against  themselves  ;  for  they  must  pay  heavily 
hereafter  to  accomplish  the  work  now  neutralized  ;  as  a 
matter  of  financial  economy,  as  well  as  for  the  wise  hus- 
banding of  energies,  parish  work  should  be  so  adjusted  that 
each  minister  and  each  flock  may  gladly  say,  We  unitedly 
labor  for  Christ  and  the  Church.  God's  blessing  may  be 
certainly  expected  when 


REASONS  FOR    THE  AUTHOR'S  SPEEDY  RETURN,    216 


TRUE  BELIEVERS  ARK  WORKERS  TOGETHER  WITH  GOD. 

The  efficient  laborers  study  the  Church  plan  of  Jehovah, 
and  labor  according  to  the  inspired  specifications.  Instead 
of  working  to  please  themselves,  they  strive  to  please  God. 
Instead  of  deforming  the  Christian  temple,  they  build 
in  accordance  with  the  heavenly  pattern.  Instead  of  rely- 
ing on  their  own  strength,  they  take  hold  of  the  strength 
of  God.  By  adapting  their  actions  to  His  laws,  the  finite 
and  the  Infinite  labor  in  unison.  By  using  all  the  appli- 
ances of  the  means  cf  grace  they  move  heaven,  and  earth, 
and  hell  !  When  a  sinner  repents  there  is  rejoicing  above, 
and  the  mandate  sounded,  Sing,  O  Heaven,  and  give  ear, 
O  earth  !  Tune  your  loud  cymbals,  O  ye  saints  on  earth  ! 
Strike  your  golden  harps,  all  ye  choirs  above  !  St.  Paul, 
to  incite  to  co-operation  with  divine  laws,  says,  "  We  are 
laborers  together  with  God*' — literally,  "  God's  fellow- 
workers  are  we."  The  Apostle  exhorts,  saying  :  "  We, 
then,  as  workers  together  with  Him,  beseech  you  that  ye 
receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain,  .  .  .  giving  no 
offence  in  anything,  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed." 

The  Saviour  worked  in  harmony  with  God.  He  delighted 
to  do  God's  will.  He  often  ministered  in  the  synagogue, 
and  worshipped  in  the  temple,  but  did  not  confine  His 
ministrations  within  buildings  erected  for  instruction  and 
for  worship.  He  went  about  doing  good,  and  did  His 
Father's  will  on  the  seashore  and  by  the  wayside — in  the 
house  of  a  chief  Pharisee,  or  in  the  house  of  affliction.  He 
did  not  withhold  the  Gospel  from  those  who  hired  no  place 
in  the  synagogue  or  temple.  Wherever  He  found  the 
sick,  there  He  healed  them.  Wherever  He  found  mourners, 
there  He  comforted  them.  Wherever  He  found  sinners, 
there  He  preached  salvation.  Wherever  He  found  those 
who   would  shut  up  the  Kingdom   of   Heaven,  there  He  re- 


216  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

buked  them.  His  recorded  discourses  were  delivered  in 
the  open  air  ;  and  without  chancel  or  quartette  He 
preached  the  Gospel.  "  The  poor  had  the  Gospel  peached 
unto  them,  and  the  multitude  heard  Him  gladly."  Had 
we  imitated  His  example,  a  member  of  a  convocation 
would  have  had  no  cause  to  publicly  state  that  he  had  been 
seriously  asked  whether  our  clergy  are  allowed  to  preach  the 
Gospel  where  there  is  no  stained  glass. 

Some  time  ago  an  itinerant  clergyman  visited  a  region 
where  we  have  no  church  edifice,  and  no  organized  par- 
ish. As  the  people  could  not  endure  the  summer  heat  in 
an  exposed  wooden  schoolhouse,  he  proposed  a  service  in 
the  shaded  woods.  This  was  objected  to  on  the  ground 
that  it  would  be  "  imitating  the  Methodists."  But  though 
he  proposed  an  out-door  service  in  imitation  of  the  example 
of  the  Saviour,  yet,  if  we  must  do  nothing  that  the  Method- 
ists do  on  one  hand,  nor  that  Ro7?ianists  do  on  the  other, 
our  prospect  for  usefulness  is  very  limited  ! 

In  many  places  we  have  no  church  edifices  ;  and  in  many 
places  where  we  have  them  the  mechanics  and  the  poor 
cannot  pay  the  pew  rent.  Have  we  not  practically  cut  off 
the  unsaved  multitudes  from  the  means  of  grace  ?  Do  not 
high  pew  rents  proclaim  that  the  luxuries  of  the  Gospel 
are  for  the  wealthy  and  fashionable.  ?  The  excluded  gladly 
read  the  attacks  of  skeptics  on  the  doctrines  of  the  Church 
that  has  excluded  them.  They  readily  imbibe  error  ;  grad- 
ually disbelieve  the  existence  of  God  ;  and  we,  who  prac- 
tised selfishness,  with  holy  horror  cry  :  "  Oh,  how  rapidly  in- 
fidelity is  spreading !  Oh,  how  dreadful  to  see  theatres 
crowded  on  Sundays  !"  But  if  there  is  no  place  for  them 
in  the  churches,  and  ministers  cannot  preach  out  of 
churches  without  losing  caste,  is  it  not  evident  that  the 
rapid  spread  of  infidelity  our  fastidiousness  has  facilitated? 

But     the     Church     is     opening    her    eyes,     and    "  Free 


J(  WS  FOR   THE  A  I  '77/OE'S  SPEED  \ '  RE  Tl  EX.     1\~! 


Churches  "  are  increasing.  lTnused  means  to  reach  the 
masses  are  gradually  being  adopted.  The  Church  is  grad- 
ually using  her  undeveloped  power.  The  hearts  of  many 
have  to  seek  and  save  the  lost.  When  the  heavens  shall  pass 
away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the  elements  melt  with  fervent 
heat,  the  earth  also,  and  the  works  that  are  therein,  shall 
be  burned  up,  then  it  will  be  seen  that  all  labor  must  perish, 
except  the  work  performed  for  Christ.  In  view  of  this,  let  us 
not  sleep,  as  do  others,  but  work  while  it  is  called  to-day. 
Happy  now  are  all  who  unitedly  and  faithfully  labor,  and 
retire  to  rest  beneath  the  Master's  smile  of  approbation. 
Blessed  are  all  who  are  diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit, 
serving  the  Lord.  But  those  now  joyful  through  having 
benefited  others  will  be  glorified  hereafter.  Therefore,  my 
beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast,  immovable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know 
that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Now,  as  the 
results  of  labor  for  God  will  last  for  ever  and  ever,  awake  I 
awake  !  Put  on  thy  strength,  O  Zion  !  Put  on  thy  beautiful 
garments,  O  Jerusalem  ! 

"  Go  labor  on  !  'tis  not  for  naught  ; 
All  earthly  loss  is  heavenly  gain  ! 
Men  heed  Thee  not,  men  praise  Thee  not  ; 
The  Master  praises  !     What  are  men  ?" 

If  we  take  the  plow  of  truth,  and  break  up  the  fallow 
ground,  and  sow  the  seed  of  righteousness,  God  will  bless 
■us.  If  we  pray  in  faith,  and  work  in  earnest,  and  adapt 
our  actions  to  the  laws  of  success,  Zion's  barren  fields  will 
again  be  fruitful.  Twenty  years  since  St.  Paul's  Cathedral, 
with  all  her  choral  attractions  and  rich  ceremonial,  was 
almost  deserted.  This  magnificent  Anglican  Church 
centre  was  principally  profitable  to  the  Dean  and  chapter, 
and  the  choristers  and  vergers.  The  desolate  aisles,  dreary 
walls,    neglected    monuments,     and    dreariness    of    empty 


218  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

space,  damp  with  London  fog,  sent  a  chill  through  the 
frame.  And  the  rendering  of  the  whole  service  imparted 
the  sensationalism  of  dreary  winter,  and  the  liturgical  wor- 
ship and  surrounding  marble  monuments  to  the  dead  were 
in  perfect  harmony. 

THE  CHURCH   OF  ENGLAND  IS  NOW   WIDE  AWAKE. 

The  wonderful  contrast  invites  devout  thanksgiving. 
Vast  congregations  now  assemble  to  hear  the  Word  of  Life. 
Lessons  are  now  impressively  read.  Praise  no  longer 
drags,  and  those  who  lead  it  behave  themselves.  Sermons  no 
longer  produce  slumber,  but  thrill  the  heart  and  soul.  The 
fresh  life  given  to  preaching  has  prevented  the  extinction 
of  the  mere  handful  of  worshippers.  The  faithful  and 
earnest  proclamation  of  the  Gospel  has  added  to  their 
number.  The  liturgical  beauties  of  the  Prayer-Book  are 
written  on  their  hearts,  and  find  vocal  utterance,  not  in 
inaudible  whispers,  but  in  tones  of  holy  fervor.  The 
Church  sky  was  dark,  and  black  clouds  spread  gloom  ; 
Christ  was  with  His  Church,  and  did  not  forsake  her. 
Though  the  Church  stars  were  few,  and  the  few  stars  dim, 
many  Church  stars  are  now  brightly  shining.  Though  the 
Church  virgins  slept,  the  Saviour's  voice  of  love  has 
awakened  the  slumberers.  The  black  gloom  of  midnight 
has  gradually  departed.  The  Anglican  Church  no  longer 
resembles  a  cemetery  filled  with  the  dead.  And  instead 
of  spending  all  her  strength  to  keep  a  few  from  "  genu- 
flecting" she  labors  with  holy  zeal  to  bring  down  in  peni- 
tence  those  who  to  Jesus  have  never  bowed  the  knee  !  The 
clergy  do  not  spend  all  their  time  to  regulate  regalia,  but 
to  save  the  lost,  adopt  each  other' s  agencies,  strike  the  same 
key-note  on  the  grand  Gospel  organ,  and  sing  with  in- 
creasing swell  the  Gloria  for  God's  blessing  on  their 
efforts. 


LECTURES   ON    THE   GREAT  REVIVAL.  219 


CHAPTER    II. 

URES  OX  THE  GREAT  REVIVAL  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  ENGLAND. 

Visits  to  Various  Dioceses — Large  Congregations — Gospel  Work  at 
Midnight — Revival  Lectures  i?i  New  York  City — Brooklyn — 
Newark  —  Connecticut — Philadelphia  —  Gen?iantown — Balti- 
more—  Washington  — Detroit —  Chicago — Peoria — Davenport 
— Jackson  and  Vicksburg,  Miss. 

L\  the  time  of  the  Apostles  churches  were  cheered  by 
the  tidings  of  what  the  Lord  was  doing  in  distant  places. 
To  cause  rejoicing  in  America,  immediately  after  the 
Evangelist's  arrival  in  New  York  he  lectured  on  ''The  Great 
Revival  in  the  Church  of  England."'  In  New  York  City  he 
delivered  the  lecture  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Apostles, 
to  a  congregation  that  filled  the  house  ;  to  a  good  congrega- 
tion in  Grace  Chapel  ;  and  to  two  thousand  hearers  in 
the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  Near  the  close  of  the 
General  Convention  in  St.  John's  Chapel  he  delivered  the 
lecture  in  St.  Ann's  Church,  New  York.  Bishops  and 
presbyters  were  present,  and  the  large  congregation  seemed 
deeply  interested.  In  trie  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  Madi- 
son Avenue,  a  large  congregation  assembled  to  hear  his  lect- 
ure on  "  The  Gospel  Preached  at  Midnight"  by  Church  of 
England  clergymen  to  rescue  fallen  women.  The  lecturer 
described  the  services  he  attended  at  midnight  four  nights 
in  succession  ;  his  co-operation  with  the  workers  and  the 
mode  of  working  ;  and  the  midnight  services  in  St.  Peter's 
Church,   adjacent    to   the    dazzling  Argyle   Rooms,  where 


220  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

aristocratic  sinners  nightly  congregate  ;  also  the  mission 
in  a  large  parochial  school-room,  near  the  Victoria  Railroad 
Station,  at  which  the  Rev.  Earl  Mulgrave,  and  other  emi- 
nent clergymen  and  laymen,  were  present.  There  a 
"  wTorker  "  said  to  a  poor  fallen  one,  "  Do  not  leave  this 
place  until  you  have  decided  to  henceforth  cease  from 
sinning,  and  resolved*  to  go  to  a  home  freely  provided." 
"  Go  to  a  home,"  she  answered — "  I  would  rather  take  my 
Bible,  jump  from  London  Bridge,  and  drown  myself  in  the 
river  Thames  !"  What  the  Bible  would  do  for  her  under 
such  circumstances  we  could  not  determine  ;  but  the  poor 
creature  had  some  veneration  for  God's  Holy  Word,  whose 
law  she  had  broken.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  several 
penitents  remained  for  the  arrival  of  the  carriages,  in  which 
they  were  taken  to  designated  homes.  The  lecture  also 
described  the  midnight  service  held  in  one  of  the  parochial 
school-rooms  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Lorimer  Square, 
where  those  who  accepted  the  card  of  invitation  were  no 
longer  gorgeously  attired  and  well  supported — no  longer 
youthful  and  attractive,  nor  able  to  hide  decaying  beauty. 
At  a  midnight  service  one  exclaimed  :  "  Ok,  the  wretch  who 
has  brought  me  to  this/"  The  announcement  that  He  who 
acquitted  the  woman  whom  the  Pharisees  brought  before 
Him  for  condemnation  was  still  the  friend  of  the  outcast, 
and  the  Saviour  of  the  greatest  sinners,  arrested  their  at- 
tention and  moved  their  hearts.  Overpowered  by  sorrow- 
ful emotion,  one  fell  prostrate  on  the  floor,  and  was  carried 
to  the  adjoining  room.  Some  listened  as  if  they  heard  the 
words  of  mercy  direct  from  heaven  ;  and  some  sang,  in 
faith  tones, 

"  I  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus  say,  Come  unto  Me  and  rest. 
Lay  down,  poor  weary  one,  thy  head  upon  My  breast." 

Assured  that  Christ,  who  touched  and  cleansed  the  loath- 
some leper,  still  receiveth  sinners,  several  resolved  to  live 


LECTURES  ON    THE   GREAT  REVIVAL. 

2l  new   life,  and    were   taken    in    carriages   to    comfortable 

homes. 

"  Down  in  the  human   heart,  crushed  by  the  tempter, 
Feelings  lie  buried  that  grace  can  restore  ; 
Touched  by  a  loving  heart,  wakened  by  kindness, 
Chords  that  were  broken  will  vibrate  once  more." 

In  St.  Ann's  Chapel,  Brooklyn,  L.  I.;  also  in  Christ 
Church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  the  lecture  on  the  revived 
state  of  the  Church  of  England  through  Parochial 
Missions  attracted  large  audiences.  The  Evangelist  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  to  deliver  a  lecture  to  the  professors 
and  students  of  Berkeley  Divinity  School,  Middle- 
town,  Conn.,  on  "  The  Work  of  the  London  Prelent  Mission 
by  Day  and  by  Night  ;"  after  which  one  of  the  professors 
said  :  "  During  the  delivery  of  the  lecture  I  could  not  help 
thinking  of  the  unappreciated  work  of  Wesley  to  revive  the 
Church  of  England." 

By  invitation  of  Bishop  Stevens  the  lecture  was  de- 
livered in  the  chapel  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
Philadelphia,  to  the  clergy  of  the  city,  whom  he  requested 
to  ask  the  lecturer  any  questions  concerning  parochial 
missions.  The  lecture  was  also  delivered  in  the  church  of 
which  the  lecturer  had  been  Rector  over  five  years  before 
he  went  to  Illinois  ;  also  in  the  Church  of  the  Atonement, 
the  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Grace  Church,  to 
the  students  of  the  Divinity  School,  and  in  St.  Luke's 
Charch.  The  large  congregations  were  delighted  to  learn 
that  the  Church,  so  long  fast  asleep,  is  now7  so  wide  awake. 
The  lecture  was  also  delivered  in  St.  Peter's,  German- 
town,  Pa. 

An  eminent  Presbyterian  divine  who  heard  the  lecture  in 
St.  Luke's  Church,  Philadelphia,  after  his  return  to  Balti- 
more, Md.,  urged  the  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Ascension 
to  "  invite  the  Evangelist  to  visit  Baltimore  to  narrate  what 


222  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

a  wonderful  work  the  Lord  is  doing  in  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land." When  the  lecture  was  delivered  the  Church  of  the 
Ascension  was  filled  ;  thirty-five  clergymen  were  present, 
and  but  fifteen  of  them  our  own  clergy.  A  Methodist  bishop, 
and  other  ministers,  were  delighted  that  the  Church  of 
England  is  now  in  the  living  condition  for  which  Wesley 
had  so  earnestly  labored  for  fifty  years.  The  lecturer 
afterward  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Rev.  J.  Gram- 
mar, D.D.,  to  deliver  the  lecture  to  his  people.  The  Balti- 
more daily  papers  contained  favorable  notices  respecting 
the  revived  state  of  the  Church  of  England.  At  a  later 
period  the  Evangelist  held  an  Eight  Days'  Mission  in  a 
parish  on  the  outskirts  of  Baltimore. 

On  the  day  after  the  lecturer  had  been  set  apart  by 
Bishop  Huntington  as  his  diocesan  Evangelist,  Bishop 
Howe,  of  Central  Pennsylvania,  invited  him  to  locate  for  a 
season  in  Reading  and  take  temporary  charge  of  Christ 
Church  Cathedral.  But  Bishop  Howe,  after  he  had  received 
the  answer  to  his  letter,  said  :  "  I  was  too  late."  Soon  after 
the  Rev.  W.  P.Orrick  accepted  the  Rectorship.  After  the 
London  Prelent  Mission  had  been  described  in  churches 
in  Philadelphia  the  Evangelist  visited  Reading,  and  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  from  the  Bishop  and  the  Rector  to 
give  his  lecture  in  the  Cathedral.  The  congregation  was 
large  and  the  lecture  reported.  The  lecture,  or  another  on 
the  same  subject,  was  delivered  in  Trinity  Church,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  In  Detroit,  Mich.,  at  a  union  service  of 
different  parishes,  at  which  the  Bishop  presided,  the  large 
congregation  heard  the  glad  tidings  that  the  Church  of 
England  is  now  awake  and  active.  The  Bishop  of  Illinois 
invited  the  lecturer  to  sound  the  same  glad  news  in  the 
Cathedral  of  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  and  to  hold  other  ser- 
vices therein.  A  lecture  on  the  same  subject  was  deliv- 
ered in  St.  Paul's,  Peoria,  and  Christians  of  the  different 


TURES  ON    THE   GREAT  REVIVAL.  223 


churches  were  present.  By  invitation  from  Bishop  Lee  a 
lecture  on  "  Religious  Life  in  the  Church  of  England  "  was 
delivered  in  the  Cathedral  in  Davenport.  lie  invited  the 
Evangelist  to  make  Davenport  his  centre,  be  the  preacher  at 
the  Cathedral,  and  hold  missions  in  his  diocese  ;  but  as  he 
could  not  hold  successful  missions  at  a  distance  and  return 
to  preach  therein  on  Sundays,  the  invitation  was  appre- 
ciated but  not  accepted.  The  Bishop  soon  after  "  entered 
into  rest." 

"  The  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  an  evangelist  in  Central  New 
York,  lectured  at  St.  Matthew's  Episcopal  Church,  in 
South  Boston,  upon  the  '  Great  Awakening  in  the  Church 
of  England.'  During  a  recent  visit  abroad  he  had  been 
an  interested  observer  of  the  revival  work  now  being 
done  in  London  under  the  auspices  of  prelates  of  the 
Church  of  England.  He  spoke,  therefore,  from  personal 
knowledge,  in  affirming  both  the  magnitude  of  the  under- 
taking and  the  gratifying  success  which  had  attended  it. 
It  appears  to  have  been  initiated  by  the  Bishops  of  London, 
Westminster  and  Rochester,  and  began  with  a  ten  days' 
protracted  service,  February  8th,  1874.  Very  many  of 
the  most  celebrated  churches  of  London  had  been  opened 
for  mission  work,  the  special  object  being  to  gather  in  the 
unchurched  and  unbelieving  people  of  the  great  city,  and, 
through  prayer  and  exhortation,  to  awraken  their  devo- 
tional feelings  and  lead  them  to  accept  Christ  as  their 
Saviour. 

"  The  greatest  possible  publicity  had  been  given  to  the 
enterprise,  and  all  the  usual,  as  well  as  some  unusual, 
means  of  advertising  had  been  resorted  to.  By  advertise- 
ments in  the  newspapers  ;  by  printed  handbills  scattered 
among  the  crowds  in  the  streets  ;  by  conspicuous  posters 
on  the  walls  along  the  thoroughfares  ;  by  placing  the  pro- 
grammes  of    each    service    in     eating-houses,   hotels,  and 


224  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


various  places  of  resort,  general  attention  had  been 
attracted  to  these  gatherings.  Among  the  unusual  means 
was  the  sending  of  choirs  into  the  streets,  sometimes  mov- 
ing in  the  form  of  a  processional  and  sometimes  in  a  less 
regular  way,  but  stopping  frequently  and  singing  one  or 
more  devotional  hymns.  When  the  singing  at  a  centre 
was  ended  one  of  the  choristers  loudly  announced  the  time 
and  place  of  the  mission's  ensuing  service.  .Another  un- 
usual mode  was  in  the  ancient  manner,  by  the  city  criers, 
who  went  forth,  bell  in  hand,  and  effectually  proclaimed 
the  desired  notice.  The  result  was  that  the  church  was 
thronged,  no  matter  at  what  hour  appointed.  The  people 
thus  called  together  had  been  addressed  at  different  times 
and  places  by  some  of  the  most  eminent  and  talented  of 
the  English  clergy,  without  distinction  of  High  Church, 
Low  Church  or  Broad  Church,  and  large  numbers  had 
been  hopefully  converted.  The  work  is  still  being  carried 
forward.' '  After  a  notice  of  the  lecture  published  on  Satur- 
day, on  Sunday  evening  some  who  came  to  hear  the 
lecture  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Boston,  were  unable  to  find 
room   in  any  of    the  pews. 

REVIVAL    LECTURES    AND    SERMONS    IX    MISSISSIPPI.* 

On  the  Sunday  before  Lent  the  Evangelist  was  accom- 
panied by  D.  Sidway,  Esq.,  to  see  a  specimen  of  "  Church 
work  in  the  Penitentiary."  Mr.  Sidway  is  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday-school  herein  carried  on  by  St.  Andrew's 
Brotherhood.  Those  who  were  born  freedmen,  and  "  freed- 
men  "  now  in  bondage,  sat  side  by  side  on  seats  placed 
between  the  tiers  of  cells.  The  service  was  said  by  the 
superintendent,  and  the  prisoners  devoutly  joined  in  the 
services  and  heartily  responded.  At  the  close  of  the  litur- 
gical worship  the  prisoners  formed  into  classes,  and  it  was 

*  Correspondence  of  the  Church  Journal  and  Messenger. 


ON    THE   GREA  T  REVIVAL. 

interesting  to  hear  them  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  recite 
the  lessons.  At  the  close  of  the  Sunday-school  session 
the  Evangelist  delivered  an  address  on  "  The  Prison  of 
Condemnation  Opened  by  Christ's  Atonement."  It  is 
cheering  to  know  that  the  labors  of  the  Brotherhood  of  St. 
Andrew's  have  been  crowned  with  God's  blessing,  and 
proclaimed  "  a  great  work"  by  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese. 
A  goodly  number  have  been  taught  to  recite  the  Catechism 
and  to  take  part  in  the  services  of  the  Church.  Since  the 
formation  of  the  Sunday  school  many  have  been  taught  to 
read  who  did  not  know  the  alphabet.  A  goodly  number 
have  been  baptized  by  the  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's. 

Confirmation  in  the  Penitentiary  has  been  administered 
on  two  occasions,  and  about  twenty-seven  of  the  prisoners 
confirmed.  When  the  Bishop  administered  the  holy  rite 
his  heart  was  moved  by  what  his  eyes  beheld,  causing  him 
to  say  :  "In  the  subdued  but  earnest  demeanor  of  the  can- 
didates I  seemed  to  see  an  assurance  that  the  instruction 
given  them  had  reached  their  hearts,  and  made  them 
already  freedmen  of  Christ,  though  they  might  yet  live  for 
years,  and  even  die,  at  last,  in  bondage  to  the  laws  of 
society.  After  the  laying  on  of  hands  I  delivered  an  ad- 
dress on  the  duties  of  a  Christian  life  and  the  solemn 
obligations  which  their  confirmation  had  brought  upon 
them,  and  left  them  blessing  God  for  putting  it  into  the 
hearts  of  these  dear  brethren  to  care  for  this  offscouring 
of  men,  too  generally  left  to  wear  out  their  imprisonment 
without  one  thought  or  throb  of  pity  from  that  outside 
world  who,  from  less  temptation,  and  better  instruction, 
and  restraining  grace,  have  been  kept  from  coming  into 
like  condemnation." 


226  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHRIST    CHURCH,    VICKSBURG. 

Though  the  Evangelist  could  not  arrange  to  hold  a  mis- 
sion in  Jackson,  in  the  morning  and  the  evening  of  the 
Sunday  before  Lent,  he  preached  to  large  and  attentive 
congregations  in  St.  Andrew's  new  church.  The  Evange- 
list was  cordially  received  by  the  Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Sansom.  Christ  Church  is  the  parent  church  in  the  city. 
The  Rev.  Stephen  Patterson,  who  fell  in  the  fearful  epi- 
demic of  yellow  fever  in  1853,  was  at  that  time  the  devoted 
Rector,  and  whose  memory  is  still  green.  But  though  be- 
fore the  war  this  church  was  one  of  the  strongest  parishes 
in  the  South,  the  ravages  of  death  and  "  murder  in  uni- 
form "  made  sad  havoc,  and  weakened  its  strength. 

The  parish  has  been  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed,  for 
the  communicants  now  number  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
it  is  blessed  with  a  large  and  nourishing  Sunday-school. 
The  Rector  and  his  family  are  highly  esteemed,  and  the 
parishioners  have  recently  shown  their  appreciation  of 
their  Rector's  many  years  of  faithful  labors  by  erecting 
an  elegant  rectory  adjoining  the  church.  The  Evangelist 
could  not  tarry  to  hold  a  mission,  but  introduced  the  Lent- 
en series  of  services  by  preaching  in  Christ  Church,  Ash 
Wednesday,  morning  and  evening. 

What  the  Evangelist  had  seen  and  heard  while  in  the 
South  made  his  heart  ache.  Zion's  harp  is  hung  on  the 
willows  of  adversity,  and  she  cannot  now  joyfully  sing  the 
songs  of  Zion.  She  needs  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and 
the  garment  of  praise  for  her  spirit  of  heaviness.  Her 
heart  is  too  tender  to  bear  much  irritation,  and  with  world- 
ly prospects  blighted  she  needs  strong  consolation.  Were 
the  Saviour  on  earth  He  would  command,  "  Sheathe  the 
sword  !  send  ambassadors  of  peace  !     Let  the  Church,  as 


LECTURES   ON    THE   GREAT  REVIVAL.  227 


My    representative,    send     forth    evangelists    to    obey    the 
mandate 

"  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,  My  people,  saich  your  God  ; 
Speak  ye  comfortably  to  Jerusalem  in  the  South  !" 


THE    UNITED    SERVICE    IN    CALVARY    CHURCH,     UTICA,     N.     Y. 

11  The  Evangelist  of  the  Episcopal  Church  preached  in 
Calvary  Church  yesterday,  both  morning  and  evening. 
Last  evening  nearly  all  the  other  Episcopal  churches  of 
the  city  were  closed,  that  their  congregations  might  listen 
to  the  expected  discourse  on  the  great  awakening  in  the 
Church  of  England.  The  service,  under  such  circum- 
stances, was  of  course  very  largely  attended.  The  congre- 
gation, which  occupied  all  available  seating  space  save  the 
gallery,  comprised  not  only  Episcopalians  from  all  parishes 
in  the  city,  but  also  members  of  other  denominations.  In 
the  chancel  were  Revs.  Drs.  Goodrich,  Van  Deusen*  and 
Coxe,  Rev.  Mr.  Irish,  and  the  preacher  of  the  occasion, 
Rev.  Mr.  Bonham.  The  service  had  been  shortened  by 
the  holding  of  a  children's  service  in  the  afternoon  ;  the 
discourse  was  of  deep  interest,  furnishing  as  it  did  the  de- 
sired information  regarding  the  great  '  revival '  which  has 
revivified  the  Church  of  England.  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  is 
enabled  to  speak  from  personal  observation  by  reason  of  his 
visit  to  the  scene  of  the  great  awakening  in  that  immense 
city,  London,  and  the  '  revival '  was  described  in  most 
graphic  manner.  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  impresses  the  hearer 
at  once  with  the  force  and  directness  of  his  efforts,  and  his 
language  is  something  noticeably  fine.  He  pictured  the 
awakening  in  London  with  a  glowing  warmth,  graphic 
power,  and  deep  earnestness  which   commanded   the  most 

*  He  now  rests  in  Paradise. 


228 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


profound  attention  during  the  whole  period  of  his  dis- 
course, above  an  hour.  The  Church  of  England  before  the 
awakening  was  listless  and  inactive,  so  to  speak.  Xow  a 
change  of  wide  magnitude  had  come.  A  deep  period  of 
seriousness  had  fallen  on  the  great  city,  leading  the 
thoughts  of  the  myriads  toward  the  better  life.  Cathedrals 
and  churches  are  crowded,  and  the  whole  Church  seems  to 
be  renewed  in  spirit,  and  is  with  most  devout  energy  push- 
ing on  the  glorious  work. 

"The  lecturer  closed  saying:  '  The  great  London  mis- 
sion marks  a  new  era  in  the  Church  of  England.  It  shows 
the  quickness  of  the  Church  authorities  to  observe  and 
heed  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  the  acceptance  by  the 
Church  of  such  a  supplemental  means  in  parochial  work  of 
doing  good.  The  liturgical  service  is  brief,  but  even  where 
street  roughs  are  gathered  the  service  and  the  sermon  are 
earnestly  listened  to,  and  the  lusty  voices  of  the  roughs 
are  heard  in  hearty  unison  in  the  singing.  The  entire  work 
exemplifies  that  the  Episcopal  Church,  with  her  canons 
and  rubrics  and  staunch  loyalty  to  her  bishops,  is  best 
fitted  to  carry  on  a  great  revival  work.  The  religious  en- 
thusiasm is  regulated  by  the  liturgy.  The  Church  of  Eng- 
land is  a  wonderful  power,  the  greatest  barrier  against  both 
false  doctrine  and  infidelity.  Although  it  has  been  pro- 
claimed that  480  English  clergy  asked  for  competent  con- 
fessors, 480  are  not  a  majority  of  23,000,  and  the  Church 
of  England  is  not  by  any  means  tending  toward  Rome, 
as  put  forth  in  certain  quarters." 


DEATH  OF  THE  RT.   REV.   If.   C.    WHITEHOUSE. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE    DEATH    OF    THE    RT.     REV.     H.    C.     WHITEHOUSE,    D.D.,    LL.D. 

The  Bishop' s  Sudden  Illness  —  His  Unexpected  Death —  The 
Bishop*  s  Prophetic  Farewell — Sorrow  of  the  Diocese —  The 
Solemn  Funeral  Services —  The  Funeral  Oration  by  Bishop  Lee 
—  The  Funeral  Service  in  Trinity  Church,  New  York — The 
Bishop  of  Iowa  soon  followed  him  to  Paradise. 

Not  long  before  the  Bishop's  decease  the  author  found 
him  busily  planning  for  the  welfare  of  his  diocese,  and 
maturing  plans  for  its  speedy  division  by  commissioning 
an  efficient  clergyman  to  proceed  at  once  to  raise  the  funds 
for  the  endowment  of  the  new  Episcopate.  At  the  same 
time  the  Bishop  showed  his  interest  in  Church  life  by  offer- 
ing the  author  his  cathedral  to  set  forth  the  awakened 
state  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  also  to  hold  therein 
any  services  he  might  desire. 

During  our  journey  from  Chicago  to  Racine  he  conversed 
on  various  topics  with  his  characterisic  life  and  fluency, 
and  seemed  strong  and  vigorous.  In  addition  to  the 
Bishop's  labors  in  his  own  diocese  he  had  done  efficient 
service  in  the  diocese  of  Wisconsin.  During  the  last  three 
weeks  of  his  active  career  he  visited  point  after  point,  and, 
in  addition  to  other  labors,  preached  about  forty  sermons. 
The  week  preceding  his  prostration  he  preached  fourteen 
times.  A  few  days  after  his  return  home  he  complained 
of  weariness  and  a  severe  headache.  Having  attended  to 
the   prescription    of  his   physician,  he  seemed  to    improve, 


230  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


and  anticipated  a  speedy  recovery  ;  but  having  overtasked 
his  recuperative  power,  on  Saturday  evening  the  Bishop 
became  unconscious  through  a  paralytic  stroke.  Fears 
were  expressed  that  he  was  near  his  end,  but  on  Sunday 
he  rallied  sufficiently  to  recognize  his  children,  and  utter 
farewell  words,  and  to  receive  the  Holy  Communion,  ad- 
ministered by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kelly  and  Canon  Knowles. 
Afterward  he  grewr  weaker  and  weaker,  and  on  Monday 
morning  at  nine  o'clock,  at  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-one, 
the  Bishop  heard  the  Voice  : 

"  Spirit,  leave  thy  house  of  clay  ! 

Lingering  dust,  resign  thy  breath  !" 

So  soon  as  practicable  the  clergy  and  laity  of  the  diocese 
assembled  at  the  cathedral  to  complete  arrangements  for  the 
funeral,  to  prepare  resolutions  appropriate  to  this  solemn 
bereavement,  and  to  give  expression  to  the  Bishop's  great 
worth,  and  the  loss  to  the  diocese  caused  by  his  decease. 
Different  speakers  alluded  to  the  Bishop's  multiform  talents 
and  excellencies,  embracing  his  sterling  qualities  of  mind 
and  heart.  Just  tribute  was  paid  to  his  penetrating  intel- 
lect, profound  learning,  moral  courage,  and  unwavering 
decision  ;  to  his  unsurpassed  powers  as  an  orator,  extem- 
pore speaker,  presiding  officer,  and  entertaining  conversa- 
tionalist ;  also  to  his  spirituality  of  mind,  unblemished  life, 
and  tender  sympathy  of  heart — concealed  from  the  outer 
world,  but  known  to  those  admitted  to  his  confidence. 
One  speaker  movingly  related  that  but  a  few  days  ago,  at 
the  recital  of  his  sorrow,  the  Bishop's  heart  was  moved  and 
the  tear  of  sympathy  started.  Another  speaker  related  how 
faithfully  he  had  warned  him,  how  gladly  he  had  received 
him  back  into  his  diocese,  and  that  he  had  indeed  found 
in  the  Bishop's  faithfulness  and  affection  "  a  father  in  God." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Locke  spoke  feelingly  of  his  twenty  years' 


DEATH  OF  THE  RT.  REV,   IE    C.   WHITEHOUSE.      231 

•rate  under  Bishop  Whitehouse.  Their  association  had 
i  of  the  most  intimate  and  endearing  character.  His 
heart  was  overwhelmed  with  sadness  as  he  thought  of  that 
great  heart  in  its  hours  of  trial  and  struggle.  How 
unflinching  was  its  courage,  how  tender  its  sympathy, 
how  high  its  aspirations  !  In  silence  were  borne  all  per- 
sonal attacks.  For  himself  the  dead  feared  no  man, 
heeded  no  enemy.  But  where  the  Church  was  concerned 
he  was  ever  vigilant.  As  an  extempore  speaker  he  had  no 
equal  in  the  United  States  ;  and  as  a  presiding  officer 
his  thorough  acquaintance  with  all  the  forms  of  law  and 
all  the  principles  established  by  usage  rendered  him  prompt, 
unerring,  and  his  dignity  in  the  chair  was  known  to  them 
all.  He  was  profound  in  learning,  a  wonderful  conversa- 
tionalist, graceful  and  courteous.  He  had  differed  from 
the  deceased  in  many  things  ;  but  there  was  now  in  his 
breast  only  one  feeling,  that  he  was  a  great  man,  and 
one  whose  loss  will  be  felt  not  only  by  this  diocese,  but  by 
the  whole  Anglican  Church. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Chase  was  called  upon,  and  said  he  re- 
sponded with  diffidence  because  he  feared  he  should  be 
unable  to  command  such  language  as  he  desired  to  use, 
that  he  might  worthily  speak  of  the  departed.  He  had 
gone  out  and  in  with  Bishop  Whitehouse  since  185 1,  and 
in  all  his  relations  he  had  felt  that  it  was  his  bounden  duty 
to  uphold  the  Bishop,  because  he  was  right.  No  man  in 
the  Church  was  put  forward  more  to  meet  conflict,  and  the 
deceased  had  stood  forth  alone  and  undaunted.  For  man 
he  had  no  fear.  He  was  essentially  a  servant  of  God.  He 
was  often  misunderstood  and  misconstrued  by  worldl}7 
men,  wno  saw  his  acts  only  from  the  light  of  their  worldly 
position.  If  ever  there  wTas  a  man  who  looked  at  the  Church 
on  its  godly  side,  it  was  Bishop  Whitehouse.  He  was  a 
firm  believer,  also,   in  the  human  side  of  the   Church,  in 


232 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


its  union,  and  it  was  only  by  knowing  this  basis  of  all  his 
work  that  his  motives  could  be  understood.  He  was  ready 
to  work  and  pray  and  fight,  if  necessary,  for  the  human 
side  of  the  Church.  He  felt  himself  sent  by  God  to  unite 
that  side  with  the  godly,  and  his  heart  was  full  with  the 
great  mission.  This  it  was  that  gave  him  his  intense  vi- 
tality and  zeal.  There  never  was  a  man  more  God  fearing, 
and  he  was  unflinching,  because  he  so  firmly  stood  by  what 
he  held  to  be  God's  will. 

Dr.  Powers  said,  Bishop  Whitehouse  would  have  beep 
noted  and  influential  in  any  position  outside  of  the  Church- 
such  was  his  mental  calibre,  his  will,  his  force  of  character. 
There  was  in  him  a  peculiar  spiritual  character — a  capacity 
to  look  into  the  interior  life  that  was  wonderful,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  deep  scholasticism,  the  high  development  of  th< 
objective.  His  sympathy  and  greatness  of  soul  have  not 
been  understood.  But  in  the  circle  immediately  surround- 
ing him  he  would  be  deeply  missed  for  the  refined  soch 
qualities  he  possessed  in  so  large  a  measure.  It  w7as  by 
those  who  knew  him  best  that  he  was  most  deeply  loved, 
and  in  whose  hearts  there  would  be  left  the  greatest  void. 

The  Standing  Committee  of  the  diocese  decided  to 
have  the  funeral  services,  at  the  Cathedral  of  SS.  Peter 
and  Paul,  at  2.30  o'clock  Thursday.  The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
Whipple,  of  Minnesota,  delivered  the  funeral  discourse. 
The  Rev.  Canon  Knowles  acted  as  master  of  ceremonies. 
The  pall-bearers  were  requested  to  appear  in  surplice,  stole, 
and  purple  scarf  ;  the  other  clergy  in  surplice  and  stole 
alone.  The  following  clergymen  were  selected  pall- 
bearers :  The  Rev.  Drs.  Chase,  Corbett,  Kelly,  Dresser, 
Powers,  Benedict,  Morrison,  Reynolds,  Gregg,  Heister, 
Benton,  Street,  and   Arvedson. 

The  funeral  services  over  the  remains  of  the  Rt.  Rev. 
H.  J.  Whitehouse,   D.D  ,   LL.D.,  in  the  cathedral   of    SS. 


DEATH  OF  THE  RT.  REV.  II.   C.   WHITE  HOUSE.       233 


Peter  and  Paul,  Chicago,  were  very  impressive,  and  will 
be  long  remembered.  The  cathedral  was  richly  draped, 
and  no  expense  spared  to  make  the  building  harmonize 
with  the  solemnity  and  dignity  of  the  occasion.  The  en- 
trance and  body  of  the  cathedral,  and  organ,  and  Bishop's 
family  pew  were  tastefully  draped.  The  walls  at  the  back 
of  the  stalls  in  the  chancel  were  covered  with  black,  relieved 
with  white  Maltese  crosses,  and  the  wall  above  the  line  of 
black  was  covered  with  plain  purple  velvet,  reaching  to  the 
line  of  the  corbels.  Festoons  of  black  and  white  and  pur- 
ple reached  from  corbel  to  corbel,  and  heavy  folds  of  rich 
drapery  covered  the  reading-desk,  lectern,  stalls  and  chan- 
cel-railing. The  gloom  of  the  black  was  much  relieved  by 
the  color  emblem  of  purit}T,  and  the  purple  rays  of  regal 
glory  blended  with  the  black  and  the  white.  The  font, 
front  of  the  chancel,  Bishop's  chair,  and  altar  were  taste- 
fully decorated  with  the  lavish  floral  presents  of  different 
parishes.  A  costly  cross  of  white  flowers,  framed  in  moss  and 
ivy  leaves,  was  placed  upon  the  altar.  On  the  Bishop's 
draped  chair  was  placed  a  floral  crosier,  crimson  and  white  ; 
also  a  white  floral  mitre— the  gift  of  the  ladies  of  Grace 
Church  ;  while  on  the  Episcopal  chair  wTas  a  crimson  floral 
cross.  Upon  the  summit  of  its  Gothic  canopy  was  a  crown 
composed  of  camellias  and  roses,  the  gifts  of  the  ladies  of 
Trinity  Parish.  Many  other  costly  floral  gifts  were  taste- 
fully arranged.  And  while  the  gloomy  black  was  inter- 
spersed with  the  color  rays  of  purity  and  splendor,  and  the 
hundred  lights  of  the  chancel  candelabra  twinkled  beams 
of  brightness,  flowers,  God's  beautiful  thoughts  put  into 
shape,  were  fashioned  by  skilful  fingers  into  emblems  of 
joy,  the  floral  anchor  of  hope,  and  the  crown  of  triumph  ! 

At  1.30  p.m.  the  clergy  of  the  diocese,  and  visiting 
clergy,  and  curators  of  the  cathedral,  and  diocesan  officers, 
and  the  pall-bearers,  assembled  at  the  Bishop's  late   resi- 


234  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

dence.  The  remains  of  the  Bishop  were  in  the  library,  and 
watched  by  his  bereaved  sons.  Not  to  break  their  holy 
revery,  we  spake  not,  but  quietly  gazed  for  the  last  time  at 
the  features  of  the  Bishop,  now  "  asleep  in  Jesus."  His 
serene  features,  placid  brow  and  smiling  expression  indi- 
cated that  his  joyful  spirit  left  its  parting  impress  on  his 
face,  showing  that 

"  Nothing  disturbs  that  peace  profound 
Which  his  unfettered  soul  enjoys." 

And  while  his  hand  held  his  rolled  sermon  cover,  his  serene 
and  smiling  lips  seemed  as  if  about  to  say,  "  Blessed  are 
the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  "  (Rev.  14  :  13).  Attired  in 
his  Episcopal  robes,  every  sign  of  death  was  absent.  He 
has  only  fallen  asleep. 

"  Asleep  in  Jesus  !   Blessed  sleep, 

From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep  !" 

At  two  o'clock  the  funeral  procession,  directed  by  the 
Rev.  C.  Locke,  D.D.,  of  Grace   Church,   Chicago,  formed 

as  follows  : 

The  Verger  of  the  Cathedral. 

Curators  of  the  Cathedral. 

The  Clergy  of  the  Diocese. 

Two  by  two,  in  surplice,  stole,  and  mourning  badge. 

The  Visiting  Clergy. 

The  Clerical  Pall-Bearers. 

The  Body. 

On  each  side  of  the  Body  the  Lay  Pall-Bearers. 

The  Chief  Mourners. 

The  Standing  Committee. 

The  Diocesan  Officers. 

From  the  Bishop's  late  residence  to  the  cathedral  en- 
trance, each  side  of  the  street  was  lined  with  spectators,  and 
during  the  procession  a  church  bell  on  the  way  was  solemnly 


DEATH  OF  THE  RT.   REV.   11.  C.   WHITEHOUSE.      235 


tolled.  On  our  arrival  at  the  cathedral  the  clerical  and  lay 
pall-bearers,  bearing  the  body,  passed  through  the  opened 
ranks,  followed  by  the  chief  mourners,  the  clergy  of  the 
diocese,  and  the  visiting  clergy.  Accompanied  by  the 
solemn  organ  tone,  Canon  Knovvles  chanted  the  opening 
sentences  of  the  Burial  Service  ;  and  as  the  procession 
slowly  approached  the  altar,  solemn  and  impressive  were 
the  accompanying  voices  of  the  choristers, 

"  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth." 

The  choristers  and  officiating  clergy  occupied  the  stalls  on 
each  side  of  the  chancel,  and  the  Rt.  Rev.  the  Bishops  took 
their  places  within  the  chancel-rails.  The  silver-mounted 
rosewood  casket  containing  the  Bishop's  remains,  and 
covered  with  a  heavy  pall  of  purple  velvet,  laced  and 
fringed  with  silver,  stood  on  a  bier  within  the  chancel  in 
front  of  the  altar.  On  the  casket  was  placed  a  large  floral 
mitre,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  bier  a  cross  and  an  anchor. 

The  Burial  Anthem  having  been  antiphonally  chanted, 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Talbot,*  of  Indiana,  read  the  Burial 
Lessor^  which  was  followed  by  a  special  anthem — "  Like 
as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  even  so  is  the  Lord  merciful 
to  them  that  fear  Him."  The  memorial  address  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  H.  W.  Lee,  of  Iowa,  was  based  on  the  words 
spoken  by  David  in  reference  to  Saul  and  Jonathan  :  "  The 
beauty  of  Israel  is  slain  upon  thy  places.  How  are  the 
mighty  fallen  !" 

The  address  paid  hearty  tribute  to  the  departed  Bishop's 
worth  as  a  mighty  leader — mighty  in  native  talents  and  in 
intellectual  attainments  ;  and  set  forth  that  he  was  great 
in  executive  ability  ;  great  as  a  presiding  officer  ;  great  as 


Bishop  Talbot  has  since  entered  into  his  rest. 


236  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


a  debater  and  extemporaneous  speaker,  and  in  power  of 
conversation  excelled  by  but  few  ;  that  he  was  influential 
in  Church  counsels,  and  gave  himself  with  great  devotion 
to  whatever  he  believed  would  promote  her  welfare. 
Bishop  Lee  also  showed  that  the  departed  Bishop  was 
mighty  in  the  Scriptures  ;  that  in  his  administration  he 
had  never  questioned  his  motives,  and  now  that  a  great 
leader  has  fallen,  he  would  act  the  part  of  a  faithful 
witness  to  his  many  excellences  and  virtues  ;  and  hoped 
that  the  divine  benediction  would  rest  upon  the  bereaved 
family  and  the  afflicted  diocese,  and  that  the  Great  Shep- 
herd may  send  a  Chief  Pastor  after  His  own  heart.  The 
Bishop  who  thus  spake,  a  few  weeks  later  followed  the 
deceased  Bishop  to  Paradise. 

After  the  memorial  address,  which  secured  devout 
attention,    the   clergy,    choir,  and     congregation    sang  the 

hymn  : 

"  O  God,  our  help  in  ages  past, 
Our  hope  in  years  to  come  ; 
Our  shelter  from  the  stormy  blast, 
And  our  eternal  home." 

At  the  close  of  the  hymn  words  of  condolence  from  the 
Standing  Committee  of  the  Diocese  of  Wisconsin  were  read 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ashley,  of  Milwaukee,  setting  forth  that, 
since  the  death  of  Bishop  Armitage,  Bishop  Whitehcuse 
had  ever  been  ready,  at  whatever  sacrifice  of  personal  ease 
and  convenience,  to  respond  to  any  and  every  call  for 
Episcopal  offices  in  Wisconsin,  not  counting  his  life  dear 
unto  himself,  that  he  might  supply  Wisconsin's  lack  ;  that 
nothing  can  ever  exceed  the  kindness,  and  cheerfulness, 
and  humility,  and  unselfishness,  and  indifference  to 
pecuniary  compensation  ;  setting  forth  also  that  for  the 
Church  at  large  the  loss  of  Bishop  Whitehouse  is  well-nigh 
an  irreparable  loss. 


DEATH  OF   THE  RT.  REV.  II.   C.   WHITEHOUSE.      237 

The  Bishop  of  Illinois,  in  his  address  to  the  Convention,  not 
long  before  he  fell  asleep,  in  closing  said  : 

"  Now  we  part  once  more  in  this  cathedral  home.  We 
know  that  we  shall  not  all  with  unchanged  roll-call  come 
together  again.  There  will  be  scattering  and  change — 
there  may  be  death)  We  part  in  our  formal  sine  die,  know- 
ing there  is  an  appointed  day  in  which,  whether  I  or  you 
respond  or  not,  this  Convention  shall  recur  and  testify  to 
the  unfailing  in  the  economy,  notwithstanding  the  mutabil- 
ity of  its  contingents.  Thus  it  is  when  we  carry  our  eye 
farther  and  estimate  the  perpetuity  beyond  the  bourne. 
Paradise  must  be  the  consciousness  of  the  same  trusts,  the 
unbroken  implication  with  the  same  struggling  and  ad- 
vancing hopes.  The  expectation  of  the  Saviour's  throne, 
waiting  until  His  enemies  be  made  His  footstool,  is  the 
condition  of  the  Militant  Church,  whether  caught  in 
glimpses  through  the  dust  of  the  battle-field  unveiling 
before  the  contemplative  disembodied,  or  inspiring  the  holy 
anxieties  and  panting  love  of  the  intercourse  of  the  souls  in 
Paradise.  The  accepted  in  the  beloved  after  death  are 
dependent  on  the  events  fulfilling  in  time,  and  are  en- 
grossed by  the  same  expectations,  partakers  of  the  same 
calling,  cognizant  of  the  same  ties,  and  yearning  for  the 
same  consummation  of  bliss  both  in  body  and  soul  in  the 
kingdom  still  to  come." 

The  Bishop  who  thus  spake  has  entered  Paradise,  and  is 
numbered  with  the  blessed  dead  who  have  died  in  the 
Lord.  He  now  rests-from  his  labors,  but  his  works  follow 
him. 

The  Bishop's  remains  arrived  in  New  York  on  the  follow- 
ing Saturday  morning.  They  were  at  once  removed  to 
Trinity  Church,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  sexton.  A  low 
platform,  covered  with  black  cloth,  was  arranged  in  front 
of  the   chancel,   on  which   the    casket    rested.      The  coffin 


238  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

was  a  metallic  one,  with  six  silver  handles,  and  bore  the 
following  inscription  : 

Henry  John  Whitehouse, 

Second  Bishop  of  Illinois. 

August  10,  1S74. 

On  the  purple  velvet  pall  were  the  Oxford  cap  and  gown 
of  the  dead  prelate.  At  the  head  of  the  casket  stood  a 
large  cluster  of  flowers,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Josiah  O.  Rutter,  of 
Chicago.  The  lower  part  of  the  coffin  was  concealed  by  a 
mass  of  japonica  and  roses  scattered  loosely  over  the  pall. 
During  the  morning  the  upper  part  of  the  coffin-lid  was  re- 
moved, and  throughout  the  day  the  remains  were  viewed  by 
a  large  number  of  persons.  A  little  before  3  p.m.  Mr. 
Carter,  the  assistant  organist  of  the  church,  played  a  dirge, 
during  which  the  family  and  a  few  of  their  friends  took 
their  seats  near  the  chancel.  There  was  but  a  small  attend- 
ance, it  having  been  understood  that  there  would  be  no 
service  in  the  church.  At  the  close  of  the  dirge  the 
officiating  clergymen,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chase,  of 
Illinois  ;  Prof.  Seymour,  Dean  of  the  General  Theological 
Seminary  ;  Dr.  Houghton,  of  the  Church  of  the  Transfigu- 
ration ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Knowles,  of  Chicago  ;  and  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Hitchings,  Houghton,  and  Crapsey,  of  Trinity 
Parish,  issued  from  the  vestry  and  took  their  places  in  the 
chancel.  The  service,  which  was  read  by  Mr.  Hitchings, 
consisted  of  the  Twenty-third  Psalm,  prayers  from  the  Bur- 
ial Service,  the  Apostles'  Creed,  and  the  De  Profundis.  The 
body,  preceded  by  the  clergy  and  followed  by  the  family, 
was  borne  down  the  centre  aisle  and  placed  in  the  hearse. 
The  remains,  accompanied  by  the  relatives,  the  two  lay 
delegates,  Judge  Otis,  Dr.  Dana,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Knowles, 
were  then  taken  to  Greenwood. 

As  the  author  is   not   aware   that   any   biography  of   the 


DEATH  OF  THE  RT.  REV.  II.   C.   WHITEHOi 

Bishop  has  yet  appeared,  is  it  not  time  that  some  friend 
commence  to  write  one  ?  He  hopes  that  some  one  may  he  ap- 
pointed to  prepare  memorials  of  our  deceased  bishops  and 
presbyters,  some  of  whom  died  through  overwork,  others 
of  broken  heart  ;  but  after  more  or  less  funeral  display  they 
were  buried  and  forgotten  !  Where  is  "  the  memorial  mis- 
sion house  "  to  perpetuate  the  faithful  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Twinge  the  efficient  secretary  of  the  P.  E.  Domes- 
tic Missionary  Society  ?  Do  we  not  need  a  cathedral  in 
which  to  place  tablets  or  other  monuments  of  eminent 
Bishops  and  other  clergy  who  were  valiant  for  "  Christ 
and  the  Church"  ?  During  the  present  state  of  Church 
peace  and  holy  activity,  will  not  wealthy  Churchmen  say. 
"  It  shall  be  done  "/ 


210  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

REVIVAL  LECTURES  IN  CATHEDRALS  AND  CHURCHES  IN  CANADA. 

The  Evangelist  accepted  invitations  to  deliver  lectures 
in  Christ  Church  Cathedral,  Montreal,  St.  Paul's  Cathe- 
dral, London,  Ont.,  St.  James's  Cathedral,  Toronto,  and  in 
the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  Hamilton.  He  also  lectured 
and  preached  in  Gowan  's  Hall  and  in  the  Opera  House,  Ot- 
tawa, and  in  the  Town  Hall,  Kingston,  Ont.  The  Rev. 
Canon  limes,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London, 
Huron,  who  was  present  at  a  mission  in  Hamilton,  invited 
the  American  Evangelist  to  visit  London  and  deliver 
revival  lectures.  The  first  lecture  was  delivered  in 
St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  on  the  "  Great  Revival  in  the  Church 
of  England."  It  described  what  archbishops,  bishops, 
and  some  of  the  most  eloquent  among  their  clergy  are 
doing  to  reach  "  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men,"  and 
the  good  results  of  their  greatly  blessed  efforts.  In  St. 
George's  Church  he  delivered  a  lecture  on  "  Gospel  Work 
at  Midnight  to  Rescue  Outcasts  in  London."  The  con- 
gregations in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  and  St.  George's  Church 
were  large,  and  rejoiced  to  learn  that  their  beloved  Church 
of  England  had  aroused  from  her  slumber.  Bishop  Hell- 
muth  afterward  cheered  the  lecturer  by  stating  that  the 
lectures  had  removed  prejudice  concerning  Parochial  Mis- 
sions from  the  minds  of  the  most  fastidious  churchmen. 
They  concluded  that  if  successful  missions  had  been  held 
in  the  largest  cathedrals,  abbeys  and  churches  in  England, 
and  that  archbishops  and  bishops  took  active  part  in   the 


REVIVAL    LECTURES,  241 

services,   missions   in    Canada  would   not  weaken    Church 
prestige. 

His  Lordship  invited  the  American  Church  Evangel- 
ist to  revisit  his  diocese.  While  a  guest  at  his  charm- 
ing residence  he  delivered  a  lecture  in  the  chapel  of  the 
11  Hellmuth  Ladies'  College."  In  the  Chapter  House  at 
London  he  delivered,  by  the  Bishop's  invitation,  a  lec- 
ture before  the  Convocation  on  "  The  Specific  Nature 
of  Parochial  Missions,''  their  usefulness  as  a  parochial 
auxiliary,  and  the  usual  cheering  results.  The  lecture 
was  prepared  during  the  interval  of  the  lecturer's  two 
visits  to  London  by  the  Bishop's  special  request.  He 
accompanied  the  Bishop  to  a  parish  near  Simcoe,  and 
preached  the  second  sermon  at  the  consecration  of  its  new 
church  ;  delivered  a  lecture  in  the  evening  in  the  church 
at  Simcoe  adjacent.  After  the  close  of  the  service  bishop 
and  lecturer  went  to  the  hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association.  The  Bishop's  address  removed  prejudice 
concerning  Church  exclusiveness. 

AT    KINGSTON,     CANADA. 

The  Dean  of  the  Cathedral  was  afraid  to  allow  its  use  for 
a  lecture  on  "  Church  Life  in  England  through  Parochial 
Missions."  On  the  Sunday  morning  after  the  author's 
arrival  he  preached  for  one  of  the  rectors  of  the  city.  After 
the  close  of  the  services  in  the  churches,  he  preached  in  the 
large  City  Hall,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association.     A  local  paper  reported  the  service  : 

"The  attendance  was  very  large,  the  hall  being  com- 
pletely filled.  Mr.  R.  V.  Rogers  occupied  th.e  chair.  On 
the  platform  were  Rev.  G.  Grafftey,  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham, 
of  New  York  ;  Messrs.  A.  Macalister,  M.  Gage,  G.  B. 
Meadows,  and  F.  Sharpe  at  the  piano.  After  a  hymn 
Mr.  Meadows  led  in  prayer.     The  chairman  read  part  of 


242  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Heb.  ii.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham's  text  was  :  '  Looking  unto 
Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith.' — Heb.  12  :  2. 
He  commenced  by  stating  that  the  apostle  made  use  of 
these  words  because  he  had  been  giving  the  Hebrew 
Christians  an  exhortation  upon  the  achievements  of  faith, 
as  recorded  in  the  eleventh  chapter.  Those  who  ran  in 
the  various  races  that  in  St.  Paul's  days  were  prevalent, 
removed  every  entanglement,  that  they  might  have  the 
free  use  of  their  limbs  and  look  steadily  at  the  goal.  So 
the  Christian  racer  must  lay  aside  each  easily  besetting 
sin,  and  look  unto  Jesus,  first,  as  the  historic  Christ 
described  by  the  four  Evangelists.  Even  infidels  must  do 
the  historic  Saviour  chronological  honor  by  using  the 
Anno  Domini  date,  without  which  commercial  or  other 
documents  are  not  legal. 

"  The  Christian  racer  must  run  his  race,  second,  '  looking 
unto  Jesus'  as  his  sinless  Substitute,  who  for  him  died  on 
Calvary.  Adam  blurred  and  defiled  man's  nature,  the 
sceptre  dropped  from  his  hands,  and  he  was  dethroned 
from  his  position  as  lord  of  creation  ;  and  all  self-efforts 
to  regain  his  lost  position  were  like  striving  to  reanimate 
a  corpse.  God's  law  requires  a  perfect  obedience.  Man 
has  broken  that  law,  and  future  acts  will  not  remove  past 
acts  of  guilt.  Man  therefore  requires  another  to  meet  his 
defaulting.  Jesus  takes  man's  place  before  the  Throne  of 
Justice,  and  assumes  the  obligation  of  man's  guilt.  Christ 
is  the  Restorer  from  the  ruins  of  the  fall.  He  only  can  save 
the  sin-dead  soul,  and  to  do  this  He  bore  man's  penalty. 
His  bodily  suffering  was  great,  but  His  mental  suffering 
greater.  The  withdrawal  of  His  Father's  presence  con- 
stituted the  height  of  His  agony,  for  God's  presence 
makes  heaven,  and  His  absence  creates  a  hell.  It  wras 
this  that  caused  that  cry  of  bitterest  agony  when  He  said, 
1  My  God,  why  hast   Thou   forsaken  me  ? '     If  He  had  re- 


REVIVAL    LECTURES.  243 


fused  to  drink  of  the  cup  all  would  have  been  lost  forever. 
He  cries,  ■  It  is  finished  !  '  and  scenes  take  place  that 
demonstrate  that  more  than  tin  ordinary  person  has  died 
— not  a  mere  scenic  display  to  gratify  man's  malice  or 
satisfy  a  broken  law.  The  thieves  were  sufficient  for  that  ; 
but  He  was  expiating  the  sin  of  a  world  of  lost  sinners. 
Death  had  Him  in  its  grasp,  and  if  it  could  have  held  Him 
the  sacrifice  would  have  been  in  vain.  If  He  rose  not, 
man's  hopes  were  forever  buried  in  His  grave.  But 
'looking  unto  Jesus  '  we  see  death's  Conqueror.  He  rose 
triumphant  from  the  tomb,  and  '  there  is  now  no  con- 
demnation to  them  that  are  in  Christ  Jesus.1  After  the. 
hymn,  '  There  is  life  for  a  look  at  the  Crucified  One,'  the 
Rev.  G.  Grafftey  led  in  prayer." 

The  committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion kindly  gave  the  free  use  of  the  hall  of  their  own  rooms 
for  Gospel  services  during  the  week.  An  editorial  in  a 
local  paper  inquired  :  "  As  the  American  Evangelist  has 
lectured  in  Canadian  cathedrals,  is  the  Church  Cathedral 
in  Kingston  superior,  so  that  he  could  not  narrate  therein 
the  wondrous  activity  of  the  Church  of  England  ?" 

By  invitation  of  the  Rector  of  St.  James  Cathedral  and 
of  the  rectors  of  several  of  the  other  parishes,  the  author 
preached  sermons  or  delivered  lectures  in  the  Cathe- 
dral and  in  a  number  of  the  Toronto  churches.  At  the 
close  of  a  lecture  in  a  church  where  the  Bishop  was  pres- 
ent he  asked  :  "  Did  the  Dean  permit  you  to  deliver  that 
lecture  in  the  Cathedral  ?"  He  seemed  surprised  and  grat- 
ified to  learn  that  he  had  invited  him  to  (Jo  so,  and  in- 
quired concerning  the  needful  preparation  for  a  general 
mission.  He  afterward  requested  Archdeacon  Whittaker 
to  "invite  a  number  of  the  Toronto  clergy  to  meet  the 
lecturer,  and  ascertain  whether  a  general  mission  in  the 
city    would  be    desirable  ?"      They  met  and  dined  at  the 


244  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Archdeacon's  residence,  after  which  there  was  a  free  inter- 
change of  opinion.  They  unanimously  concluded  that  a 
general  mission  was  desirable.  But  as  the  Dean  was  not 
present,  and  it  was  known  that  he  had  misgivings  concern- 
ing the  results  of  revivals,  and  feared  that  if  he  had  a  mis- 
sion in  his  Cathedral  some  might  conclude  that  he  sym- 
pathized with  "Ritualists,"  the  clergy  were  convinced 
that  if  the  Dean,  whom  they  very  highly  esteemed,  should 
take  no  part,  even  if  other  rectors  held  a  simultaneous 
mission,  the  public  would  conclude  that  he  had  foreseen 
some  "  Romish  tendencies"  in  the  mission  movement. 
They  therefore  decided  that  a  general  mission  was  much 
needed  ;  but  without  the  co-operation  of  the  Dean  of 
Toronto  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  arrange  for  one  at 
present.      The  Dean's  fears,  however,  will  soon  depart ! 


INTRODUCTION  OF  PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.         246 


CHAPTER   V. 

INTRODUCTION  OF  PAROCHIAL  MISSIONS  IN  CANADA. 

Mission  in  Christ  Church  Cathedral^  Montreal — St.  Jude  s 
Church — Lectures  on  Missions  in  St.  Paul' s,  London,  Huron 
—  The  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford's  Mission  in  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  London — Many  Sinners  Saved — The  Very  Rev. 
Dean  Grazette  Delighted — The  Wonderful  Mission  in  St. 
James''  Cathedral,   Toronto. 

Accompanied  by  Mr.  Thomas  Whittaker,  JEvafigelist  Bonham 
visited  Montreal.  By  invitation  of  the  Very  Rev.  Dean 
Bond,  D.D.,  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church,  for  whom  he 
had  preached  on  previous  visits,  he  preached  in  St.  George's 
new  church  ;  and  afterward  preached  for  the  Rev.  J.  P. 
Du  Moulin,  then  Rector  of  St.  Martin's  Church,  now  the 
Rector  of  St.  James'  Cathedral,  Toronto.  After  Mr. 
Whittaker's  return  to  New  York,  by  invitation  from  the 
Rev.  Canon  Baldwin,  now  Bishop  of  Huron,  the  Evange- 
list held  a  Twelve  Days'  Mission  in  Christ  Church  Cathe- 
dral, of  which  he  was  then  the  zealous  Rector.  The  Rt. 
Rev.  Ashton  Oxenden,  Metropolitan  of  Canada,  heartily 
sympathized  with  the  mission,  and  preached  one  of  the 
sermons.  Dean  Bond  and  other  clergymen  took  active 
part  in  the  services.  The  usual  daily  morning  prayer 
in  the  Cathedral  was  said  by  the  Rector  or  one  of  his 
assistants.  A  daily  devotional  service  was  conducted  by 
the  Rector  in  the  adjacent  Chapter  House.  The  daily 
evening  mission  sermon    in   the   Cathedral  was   preached 


246  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

by  the  missioner,  followed  by  a  very  earnest  instruction 
by  the  Rector.  Ministers  of  different  religious  bodies 
publicly  prayed  in  their  churches  that  God's  blessing 
might  rest  on  the  evangelistic  services.  Daily  papers 
published  favorable  reports  of  the  sermons,  addresses,  and 
services.  The  mission  continued  twelve  days,  and  the 
congregations  were  large  and  attentive.  As  the  Rector 
had  printed  on  large  posters,  "  Gospel  Services,"  etc., 
a  churchman  objected  to  the  phrase,  on  the  ground  that 
the  regular  Cathedral  worship  was  Gospel  services.  Had 
they  been  called  "  a  Mission,"  some  other  person  would 
have  feared  that  the  Pope  was  in  spirit  present,  though 
invisible. 

At  the  same  time  the  eminently  useful  Evangelist, 
11  Harry  Morehouse,"  was  conducting  evangelistic  services 
in  the  large  hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 
In  Yorkshire  dialect  he  entreated  the  missioner  to  "  coom 
in  after  the  close  of  the  evening  services  in  the  Cathe- 
dral, if  you  only  just  say  the  Benediction,  for  it  is  so 
seldom  that  an  Episcopalian  will  condescend  to  say  a 
blessing  on  us."  He  now  "  rests  from  his  labors,  and  his 
works  do  follow  him." 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  mission  in  the  Cathe- 
dral the  Evangelist  conducted  a  mission  in  St.  Jude's 
Church,  and  was  efficiently  assisted  by  the  Rector  and 
the  Dean  of  Montreal.  Some  person  opposed  to  the 
mission  during  the  night  tore  down  the  large  posters 
announcing  the  services  ;  they  were,  however,  well  at- 
tended. St.  Jude's  parish  have  since  built  a  large  stone 
church  ;  and  the  earnest  Rector  is  worthy  of  hearty  com- 
mendation for  his  earnestness,  great  patience,-  and  "  final 
perseverance." 

In  Ottawa,  Canada,  the  author  held  one  mission  in  the 
rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  ;  another 


INTRODUCTION  OF  PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.  247 


in  Gowan's  Hall  ;  and  after  church  hours,  a  farewell 
evangelistic  service  in  the  large  Opera  House.  Ten 
thousand  copies  of  the  tract  "  Profit  or  Loss"  were  circu- 
lated during-  his  visit.  A  member  of  the  Canadian  Parlia- 
ment who  believes  in  temporal,  if  not  in  eternal  punish- 
ment, said  :   "  The  author  ought  to  be  imprisoned." 

The  Rev.  IV.  S.  Bainsford,  a  few  weeks  after  the  revival 
lectures  were  delivered  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  London, 
Huron,  commenced  a  mission  therein,  and  aroused  un- 
usual interest.  The  building  was  crowded  at  the  daily  mis- 
sion services.  Great  good  resulted  from  his  earnest  Gospel 
sermons.  Many  studied  the  Bible  as  never  before.  The 
mission  was  considered  "  wonderful,"  and  the  tidings  of 
the  great  religious  interest  awakened  reached  distant  places. 
Many,  through  the  missioner's  faithful  Gospel  sermons, 
received  great  blessings,  and  will  ever  remember  him  as 
the  Saviour's  minister  who  led  them  into  the  ark  of  safety. 
The  laity  of  London  learned  to  love  their  rectors  more 
than  ever  before  through  their  love  for  the  missioner  who, 
through  God's  blessing,  stirred  them  to  live  a  more  intense 
religious  life  in  Christ. 

By  arrangements  the  Bishop  made  with  the  venerable  Arch- 
deacon Sweatman,  now  the  Bishop  of  Toronto,  and  other 
rectors,  the  author  conducted  a  mission  at  Woodstock, 
another  at  Kincardine,  two  in  succession  in  churches 
at  Brantford,  and  another  at  Tilsonburg.  The  ser- 
vices at  each  place  were  well  attended  ;  but  the  interest 
awakened  at  the  second  mission  in  Brantford  was  greater 
than  at  either  of  the  others,  for  the  rectors  and  choirs  of 
the  two  churches  united.  The  church  was  large,  but  the 
congregations  filled  it,  and  were  solemnly  attentive. 

The  tidings  of  the  good  results  of  the  mission  in  London  soon 
reached  the  ears  of  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  Grazette,  and  his 
conscientious   scruples   concerning  missions   suddenly  de- 


248  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

parted.  The  announcement  that  "  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford 
will  conduct  a  mission  in  St.  James'  Cathedral,  Toronto," 
caused  surprise  and  gladness.  The  mission  is  commenced  ; 
crowds  attend  the  services  ;  and  inside  the  Cathedral  no 
more  persons  can  find  even  room  to  stand.  As  the  interest 
daily  increases  the  Dean  is  delighted,  and  his  enthusiasm 
increases.  The  pews  in  the  body  of  the  church,  in  the 
galleries,  chancel,  aisles,  and  entrances  are  all  crowded. 
At  a  service  at  which  the  author  was  present  as  many  as 
three  thousand  persons  were  in  the  vast  building.  The 
missioner  preached  with  great  plainness  of  speech  and 
fervor  of  utterance.  The  sermon  was  not  brief,  but  the 
hearers  were  spellbound.  Those  unable  to  understand 
the  logic  or  exegesis  in  his  sermon  could  not  misunder- 
stand his  vivid  pictorial  illustrations.  As  Trinity  Church 
was  crowded  at  the  three  weeks'  noonday  sermons  preached 
by  Missioner  Aitken,  so  .St.  James'  Cathedral,  Toronto, 
was  crowded  during  the  mission  held  therein  by  Missioner 
Rainsford.  (Some  of  the  Toronto  churchmen  were  horrified 
that  even  the  chancel  was  filled  with  laymen  !  An  article 
in  a  paper  considered  this  a  desecration  of  the  holy  part  of 
the  Cathedral  !)  Through  God's  blessing  on  the  numerous 
services  a  large  number  of  persons  were  benefited.  Rec- 
tors of  distant  parishes  unitedly  called  aloud,  "  Come  and 
help  us."  He  said  "No"  again  and  again,  until  the 
vestry  of  St.  George's  Church,  New  York,  would  not  accept 
"no"  as  a  satisfactory  answer.  So  they  "  called  again  /' 
and  when  he  answered  "  Yes,"  they  greatly  rejoiced. 

THE    MISSION    IN    TORONTO    VIVIDLY    REMEMBERED. 

"  The  most  remarkable  mission  that  I  ever  saw  was  one 
in  Toronto  in  1876  and  1877.  A  long  season  of  quiet  Chris- 
tian growth  had  preceded  the  work.  The  fire  had  been 
laid,   and  it  seemed  as  if,   in  the  providence  of   God,    the 


INTRODUCTION  OF  PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.         249 

time  had  come  to  apply  the  spark.  I  vividly  remember 
the  first  after-meeting.  Missioner  Rainsford  had  carefully 
refrained  from  asking  the  people  who  were  present  to 
speak  to  him  personally  concerning  the  salvation  of  the 
soul  until  the  close  of  the  first  week  of  the  services  ;  but 
on  Monday  night  of  the  second  week,  seeing  that  matters 
were  ripe,  he  invited  '  all  who  were  anxious  for  further 
instruction  to  go  over  to  the  large  school-house  across  the 
Cathedral's  churchyard.'  In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  there 
were  between  five  hundred  and  six  hundred  men  and 
woman  anxiously  seeking  to  enter  upon  the  better  life. 
Usually  those  who  are  anxious  prefer  to  speak  only  to  the 
missioner  ;  but  at  the  time  referred  to  all  personal  choice 
had  departed.  They  were  indifferent  as  to  who  spoke  to 
them,  so  long  as  the  speaker  could  understand  and  help 
the  case.  The  work  wras  the  deepest  and  most  lasting 
that  has  ever  been  my  privilege  to  see  anywhere.  It  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  that  its  effect  is  deeply  felt  in  the  city 
to-day.  I  could  write  a  volume  respecting  the  incidents 
that  then  occurred.  Eight  years  have  not  been  able  to 
obliterate  from  my  memory  the  manifestation  of  the 
power  of  the  Gospel  at  the  mission  in  Toronto."  Many 
could  sing  : 

"  No  sooner  I  my  wound  disclosed, 
The  guilt  that  tortured  me  within, 
But  God's  forgiveness  interposed, 
And  mercy's  healing  balm  poured   in." 


250  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE    CHURCH    REVIVAL    IN    INDIANAPOLIS. 

The  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgans  Mission  at  Indianapolis — The  Pev. 
E.  A.  Bradley  and  Other  Rectors  of  the  City — Bishop  Talbot's 
Hearty  Approval  of  the  Mission — The  Mission  s  Manifest 
Results — A  Christian   Woman  s  Letter. 

While  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan  was  Rector  of  St.  John's 
Church,  Ithaca,  he  was  absent  for  a  season  to  conduct  a 
mission  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.  According  to  a  report  of 
the  mission  in  the  Indiana  Churchman,  the  first  thing  was 
to  secure  an  Evangelist  at  a  time  when  its  promoters  could 
have  the  presence  of  the  Bishop  and  general  co-opera- 
tion of  the  clergy.  The  mission  was  begun  under  the 
hearty  endorsement  of  the  whole  clerical  force  and  the 
co-operation  of  the  Bishop,  who  had  greatly  desired  such 
an  effort  for  several  years.  The  Bishop  and  clergy  left  the 
management  of  the  details  to  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Bradley,  Rector 
of  Christ  Church.  The  Bishop  had  said  publicly  that  he  was 
fully  determined  that  the  effort  should  be  made  ;  and  the 
Rector  of  Christ  Church  selected  a  committee  from  each 
parish.  The  committee  resolved  to  have  5000  copies  of 
a  circular  printed  for  general  distribution  from  house  to 
house  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city.  The  circular,  which 
gave  the  times  of  the  services,  was  set  up  in  large  type, 
and  signed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  J.  C.  Talbot,  Bishop  ;  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Bradley,  Austin,  Engle,  Roberts,  Dunham  and  Bird, 
assisting  clergy. 


THE    CHURCH   REVIVAL    JX  INDIANAPOLIS.         251 


The  evening  the  mission  commenced  the  darkness  was 
dense  ;  the  wind  swept  rain  and  hail  into  the  faces  of  those 
who  looked  out-of-doors,  and  drove  them  back.  When  the 
Evangelist  arrived  the  Bishop  and  clergy  of  the  city  were 
in  the  chancel  of  the  old  mother  church,  which  was  more 
than  half  full  of  people.  The  Evangelist  made  an  address 
unfolding  the  "  Mission  Idea  ;"  called  for  lay  wrorkers  ;  and 
related  an  incident  which  gathered  before  him,  after  the 
service,  a  little  phalanx  of  willing  helpers.  The  Bishop 
said  that  the  whole  purpose  and  plan  of  the  mission  had 
his  sanction  and  hearty  soul-felt  God-speed.  He  had  long 
felt  the  need  of  such  a  work,  and  blessed  God  for  granting 
him  life  to  see  its  beginning. 

During  the  two  weeks  of  the  mission  different  daily  ser- 
vices were  held  :  special  services  at  the  Blind  Asylum  ; 
sermons  were  preached  to  workingmen  ;  a  special  service 
was  held  at  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  ;  a  service  for  men 
only  ;  and  at  the  mission  sermons  in  the  evening,  when 
the  weather  was  favorable,  the  largest  church  was  crowded. 
After  each  sermon  some  of  the  clergy  would  deliver  a  brief 
address  on  "  God's  Love,"  V  The  Sinfulness  of  Sin,"  "  The 
Sinner's  Death,"  "  The  Believer's  Death,"  "  The  Last 
Things,"  "  The  Angel's  Crown,"  or  on  other  topics  in  har- 
mony with  the  missioner's  sermon.  The  Holy  Spirit  was 
present,  convincing  of  sin,  righteousness  and  judgment. 
Cases  of  rare  interest  were  developed,  gatherings  that  in- 
creased constantly  in  interest.  One  morning  a  Judge  rose, 
and,  after  showing  the  blessings  sure  to  come  from  the 
mission  effort,  confessed  that  he  had  been,  without  reason, 
standing  outside  the  Church.  He  admitted  Christ's  claim 
upon  him  and  was  henceforth  His.  The  same  morning  a 
prominent  lawyer  told  how  a  wife's  prayers,  and  his  child's 
influence,  and  the  power  of  the  mission  effort  had  freed 
him   from  the  chain  of  scepticism   and   sin.      Now  he  was 


252  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

able  to  say  the  Apostles'  Creed,  and  range  himself  on  the 
Lord's  side.  Another  morning  two  prodigal  sons  told, 
with  choked  voices,  how  their  hearts  were  touched,  and 
how  God,  their  Father,  was  leading  them  back.  They 
wanted  us  to  pray  for  them.  One  asked  special  prayers  for 
a  friend  in  doubt  and  trouble.  He  said  he  was  confirmed 
years  ago,  but  never  felt  that  he  belonged  to  the  Church. 
He  had  never  received  much  attention,  and  knew  but  little 
of  religious  matters.  The  first  prayer  he  ever  felt  had 
been  answered.  He  prayed  the  night  before  on  his  way 
home,  in  great  distress.  He  wanted  help.  Another  told 
of  the  struggles  he  had  had  all  the  night  before,  and  in 
weakness  he  came  to  be  strengthened  by  our  sympathy  and 
prayers.  We  never  saw  such  mornings  in  our  lives.  They 
were  precious  seasons.  Baptists,  Methodists,  Congrega- 
tionalists,  and  even  Quaker  friends,  came  in,  testifying 
that  they  felt  the  present  Saviour  with  us,  and  bade  us 
God-speed.  The  pulpits  of  the  city  around  us  uttered  a 
fervent  "  praise  God."  To  say  that  tears  flowed  is  nothing. 
The  flood-gates  were  broken  up,  and  clergy  and  people 
wept  for  joy.  It  did  seem  as  if  the  fires  and  winds  of  a 
new  Pentecost  were  burning  and  blowing  along  the  frigid 
and  stagnant  waters  of  our  Zion.     . 

Wednesday  morning,  at  8  o'clock,  we  had  a  United  Com- 
munion Service  at  Christ  Church.  It  was  a  delicious  ser- 
vice. Morning  and  evening  prayer  was  said  during  the 
day,  and  at  night  Christ  Church  was  filled.  Notice  and  a 
warm,  urgent  invitation  were  given  to  all  interested  in  per- 
sonal religion  to  wait  after  the  sermon  for  conference  with 
the  pastors  and  Christian  friends.  While  those  who  chose 
to  leave  were  passing  out  the  workers  rose  and  came  for- 
ward for  pamphlets,  and  to  report  cases  for  personal  atten- 
tion to  the  clergy.  The  clergy  laid  aside  their  robes  and 
came  down  among  the  people.     The  hymn,  "Just  as  I  am," 


THE   CHURCH  REVIVAL  IN  INDIANAPOLIS.        263 

was  sung,  and  the  real  work  of  seeking  out  those  desiring 
to  begin,  or  to  renew,  their  Christian  life,  began.  All  was 
most  informal,  but  all  were  intensely  in  earnest.  Names 
were  taken  for  confirmation,  and  many  enrolled  themselves 
as  workers.  Committees  of  the  Working  Band  were  ap- 
pointed to  arrange  for  special  services  at  institutions  and 
the  mills. 

The  conference  meeting,  at  9  o'clock,  proved  of  special 
interest  and  great  spiritual  profit.  The  Evangelist  con- 
ducted without  surplice,  and  everything  was  most  informal. 
A  hymn  was  first  sung,  a  few  collects  were  said,  a  second 
hymn  followed,  and  then  a  short,  stirring  address  by  the 
Evangelist.  He  then  asked  for  reports  from  the  workers. 
The  experience  in  praying  for  and  trying  to  lead  others 
to  Christ  was  detailed.  Some  asked  for  prayers  for  special 
friends  ;  wives  wanted  the  Evangelist,  or  one  of  the  clergy, 
to  speak  to  their  husbands  ;  mothers  were  anxious  about 
sons.  Nothing  could  be  more  delightful  than  the  depth  of 
Christian  experience  and  feeling  that  were  manifested  in 
these  morning  meetings.  It  was  reported  that  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  Old  Rolling  Mill  would  open  for  a  service 
the  next  morning,  at  11:30. 

The  mission  closed  with  a  grand  meeting.  The  classes 
were  called  round  the  Evangelist  in  front  of  the  chancel, 
and  while  the  after-meeting  work  went  on  he  gave  them  his 
last  instruction.  At  10:30  we  left  St.  Paul's,  where  men 
and  women  by  the  score  were  still  lingering  for  the  last 
words  and  the  blessing  of  the  Evangelist. 

During  the  mission,  which  lasted  a  fortnight,  over  forty 
sermons  were  preached,  besides  addresses,  exhortations 
and  instructions.  The  power  of  God  was  present  ;  and 
strongmen  in  this  community  have  been  plucked  as  brands 
from  the  burning. 


254  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

The  Indiana  Churchman,  in  a  later  issue,  published  a 
summary  of  "  The  Fruits  of  the  Mission  :  " 

"  In  our  last  number  we  gave  a  full  and  detailed  account 
of  the  mission  services.  It  was  finally  agreed  to  hold 
Union  meetings  on  Sunday  nights  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral, 
and  conference  meetings  on  Thursday  evenings  in  Christ 
Church.  The  several  rectors  present  gave  notice  of  the 
times  on  which  they  would  meet  candidates  for  confirma- 
tion. The  lay  workers  were  exhorted  to  rally  around  their 
respective  parish  priests,  and  assist  them  in  the  good  work 
by  urging  others  to  come  out  on  the  Lord's  side. 

"  At  the  conference  meeting  held  in  Christ  Church  on 
the  following  Thursday  evening  the  Bishop  presided.  A 
number  of  spirited  addresses  were  made  by  the  clergy 
present.  The  singing  was  full  and  hearty.  The  Bishop 
fully  endorsed  the  good  work  now  being  so  happily  brought 
to  its  close.  He  recognized  the  hand  of  God  in  it.  The 
mission  had  yielded  the  blessed  fruits  of  the  Spirit  in  a  re- 
markable manner,  for  which  he  devoutly  thanked  Almighty 
God.  Soon  after  the  mission  the  Bishop  confirmed  ninety- 
one  persons.  The  absentees  through  sickness  and  other 
hindrances  will  be  gathered  in  at  the  midsummer  confir- 
mation." 

A  devoted  churchwoman,  aware  of  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Mor- 
gan's anxiety  and  hesitancy  respecting  his  future  course, 
to  move  him  to  tender  his  resignation  as  rector,  thereby 
lose  his  seat  in  Convention,  and  henceforth  "  do  the  work 
of  an   Evangelist,"  wrote  to  him  as  follows  : 


Washington,  D.  C,  March  23,  1874. 

It  has  seemed  to  me  that  your  duty  with  regard 

to  being  a  missioner  has   never   been   frankly  and  boldly 
canvassed.     There  is  a  shrinking,  a  timidity  in  approaching 


THE   i  REVIVAL    IN   INDIANAPOLIS. 


the  subject,  as  if  you  did  not  dare  to  walk  out  in  your  faith 
and  say,  "  Here  am  I,  send   me." 

Your  faith  so  much  resembles  that  of  the  old  lady  whose 
horse  ran  away  that  I  must  tell  you  about  her.  Driving 
quietly  over  a  well-known  road,  meditating  on  the  good- 
■ess  of  God  and  how  good  a  thing  it  is  to  have  confidence 
in  Him  in  times  of  trial,  all  at  once  her  horse  took  fright, 
and  tore  along  at  a  rate  that  promised  destruction  to  him- 
self and  his  driver.  But  the  woman  was  saved.  In  nar- 
rating the  incident  she  said,  "  I  trusted  in  God  till  the 
reins  broke,  then  I  didn't  know  what  to  do  !"  As  far  as 
you  can  see  you  are  willing  to  go,  but  beyond  that  you 
dare  not  go.      Is  that  faith  ? 

Now,  I  do  not  say  that  it  is  your  duty  to  go  from  city 
to  city  and  warn  the  careless  and  indifferent,  but  I  do  say, 
you  have  a  right  to  ask  but  one  question,  "  Does  God  call 
me  to  this  work  ?"  How  you  and  your  family  are  to  be 
supported  is  His  care  and  not  yours.  He  requires  you  to 
"provide"  for  your  family,  but  as  Lord  of  the  vineyard 
He  has  perfect  right  to  dictate  the  portion  you  shall  cul- 
tivate and  what  wages  you  shall  receive.  If  we  cannot 
support  the  present  artificial  state  of  life,  there  is  no  rea- 
son in  repining  and  charging  God  with  not  having  ful- 
filled His  contract.  Great  inconveniences  are  of  little 
account  when  put  in  the  balance  against  a  lost  soul. 

If  God  intends  to  revive  the  Church  by  missions  some- 
body must  begin,  and  that  somebody  will  have  to  make 
sacrifices.  But  whoever  made  a  sacrifice  for  Christ  but 
that  received  his  "hundredfold"  in  this  life?  It  is  so 
seldom  that  we  indulge  in  such  things  in  this  age  of  self- 
serving  that  if  one  should  see  it  we  should  cry  out  at  once, 
"  Enthusiast  !"  Even  the  best  members  of  the  Church 
think  a  man  must  have  panted  with  his  senses  if  he  sup- 
poses such  a  line  of  conduct  will  be  acceptable. 


256 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


But  the  world  is  waxing  worse  and  worse,  and  neither 
your  voice,  nor  the  voice  of  the  rectors  generally,  is  heard 
among  the  masses.  They  are  not  in  the  churches  to  hear 
you,  and  they  never  will  hear  the  Gospel  unless  it  is  car- 
ried  to  them.  The  pew-letting  system  has  literally  turned 
them  out-doors,  and  once  out  it  will  take  more  than  human 
skill  or  energy  to  bring  them  back  to  their  "  Father's 
house." 

Do  look  at  the  mission  work  by  the  light  emanating 
from  another  world,  through  the  Word  of  God.  Contrast 
the  "  light  afflictions  "  with  the  "  weight  of  glory,"  and 
if  you  have  the  Cross  to  bear,  take  it  up,  trusting  in  an 
unfailing  Heavenly  Father. 

Very  sincerely  yours, 


BISHOPS  IN  FA  I T0R  l  '/•'  £  I  ANGEUSTIC  SEK  VICES . 


CHAPTER   VII. 

BISHOPS    IN    FAVOR    OF    EVANGELISTIC    SERVICES. 

The  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgans  "Aggressive  Work" — Plans  an 
"Evangelization  Society" — Numerous  Bishops  Affix  their 
Signatures — Addresses  in  its  Favor — No  Fund  for  the 
Support  of  Evangelists  ! — Bishop  H.  Potter  s  Appeal  for  the 
Diocesan  Mission  Treasury — The  Bishop  of  Long  Island's 
Echo — The  Church  Called  "a  Beggar.'" — Are  Evangelists 
Needed  in  the  East  ? — How  to  Provide  for  their  Support. 

The  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan  published  a  stirring  volume,  with 
the  introduction  by  Bishop  Huntington,  entitled  "  Aggres- 
sive Work."  The  author  of  "The  Church  Revived" 
sent  a  copy  to  the  Vicar  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Duhvich, 
London,  England.  He  acknowledged  its  receipt,  saying  : 
"  The  subject  is  one  of  vital  importance  and  of  the  highest 
interest,  both  to  the  Church  and  to  the  world.  I  regard 
that  little  book  as  a  sign  of  a  deep,  wide,  and  glorious 
movement.  It  is  the  sourid  on  the  top  of  the  mulberry 
trees — the  goings  forth  of  God,  the  Holy  Ghost,  to 
quicken,  to  strengthen,  and  to  save.  I  would  that  every 
minister  of  the  great  Anglican  Church  possessed  a  .copy 
and  would  read  it  with  prayerful  attention,  and  live  to 
the  level  of  its  grand  purpose.  How  would  her  power 
then  prove  irresistible  and  her  progress  rapid  and  glorious 
beyond  our  conceptions." 

The    Very  Rev.  the  Dean  of    St.   Paul's  Cathedral  gladly 


258  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

received  a  copy.  The  Rev.  Canon  Fremantle  also  received 
one,  and  kindly  invited  the  sender  to  visit  him  when  in 
England.  "  '  Aggressive  Work  '  has  set  my  heart  burning 
in  the  reading.  We  cannot  conceive  how  any  clergyman 
can  read  it  without  that  result.  It  is  a  book  to  stir  the 
Church  to  her  depths,  and  make  us  all  ask  what  we  can 
do."*  "  The  author  writes  out  of  a  full  heart  and  with 
force,  making  a  strong  plea  for  the  employment  of  Evan- 
gelists. .  .  .  The  need  and  the  duty  of  recovering  the 
office  of  Evangelist,  or  at  least  of  seeing  that  the  work 
which  the  Evangelist  of  the  early  Church  did  is  done  now, 
no  one  can  dispute. "f  "  If  the  clergy  of  our  Church  are 
wise,  if  they  would  be  winners  of  souls,  they  will  not 
only  read,  but  will  make  themselves  masters  of  this 
admirable  volume/'^ 

The  author  of  "  Aggressive  Work,"  during  the  sessions  of 
the  General  Convention  held  in  St.  John's,  Varick  Street, 
several  years  ago,  obtained  the  signatures  of  the  following 
eminent  Bishops,  endorsing  a  plan  for  an  order  of  Evan- 
gelists, subject  to  Episcopal  authority,  in  the  several  dio- 
ceses :  » 

The  Rt.  Rev.  B.  B.  Smith  ;  Alfred  Lee  ;  J.  Johns  ;  John 
B.  Kerfoot  ;  G.  T.  Bedell  ;  W.  W.  Green  ;  H.-B.  Whipple  ; 
Thomas  M.  Clark  ;  Thomas  M.  Vail  ;  A.  Cleveland  Coxe  ; 
M.  A.  DeWolfe  Howe  ;  William  Pinkney  ;  William  Bacon 
Stevens  ;  Thomas  Atkinson  ;  H.  A.  Neeley  ;  A.  N.  Little- 
john  ;  F.  D.  Huntington  ;  O.  W.  Whitaker  ;  C.  F.  Robert- 
son ;  Francis  M.  Whittle  ;  Charles  Todd  Quintard  ;  Rob- 
ert H.  Clarkson  ;  Theodore  B.  Lyman  ;  William  W.  Niles  ; 
Daniel  S.  Tuttle  ;  Joseph  C.  Talbot  ;  John  W.  Beckwith  ; 
Alexander  Gregg  ;  William  H.  Hare  ;  John  Franklin 
Spaulding  ;  J.  P.  B.'Wilmer. 

*  Church  Journal.  f  Churchman.  %  Church  and  State. 


BISHOPS  IN  FAVOR  OF  EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES.  259 


At  a  special  meeting  in  Christ  Church,  New  York,  at 
which  the  Rt.  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  presided,  after 
devotional  exercises,  addresses  in  favor  of  an  Evangeliza- 
tion Society  were  made  by  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan,  the 
Rt.  Rev.  the  Bishop  of  Minnesota,  the  Rev.  Dr.  H. 
C.  Potter,  Rector  of  Grace  Church,  New  York,  the  Rt. 
Rev.  the  Bishop  of  Indiana,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thompson 
who  was  then  the  Rector  of  Christ  church,  now  the 
assistant  Bishop  of  Mississippi. 

Through  his  editorial  trumpet  the  Doctor  afterward 
said  : 

"  Heaven  pity  us  if  we  refuse  to  do  this  work  !  But  if  it 
is  to  be  done,  why  not  enter  upon  it  at  once  ?  Why  not 
come  at  once  to  the  rescue,  and  nobly  and  faithfully  stay 
up  the  hands  of  the  Bishops  ?" 

Representatives  of  all  Protestant  Christians  have  asked, 
M  How  may  the  masses  be  reached  ?  The  Roman  Catholics 
have  no  occasion  to  ask  this  question."  Can  non-church- 
goers by  any  means  be  influenced  to  "  keep  holy  the  Sab- 
bath day"  ?  This  question  has  been  asked  and  answered 
at  clerical  clubs,  at  missionary  convocations,  at  diocesan 
and  general  conventions  ;  also  in  reviews,  magazines  and 
newspapers.  In  respect  to  the  churches  and  the  people 
one  of  the  daily  papers  said  : 

"  The  decline  of  church  attendance  in  proportion  to  the 
population,  the  stagnant  condition  of  some  of  the  denomi- 
nations, the  waning  influence  of  the  clergy,  the  growth 
of  infidelity,  are  all  facts  of  which  these  churches  cannot 
be  ignorant,  and  which  they  cannot  gainsay.  In  the  great 
cities,  and  even  in  smaller  towns,  costly  church  edifices  are 
only  partially  filled  on  Sunday,  and  many  devices  must 
be  used  to  drawT  people  to  them.  The  demand  for  star 
preachers  is  greater  than  the  supply,  and  they  are  able  to 
command  salaries  far  in  excess  of  those  paid  in  former  times. 


260  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Expensive  choirs  must  be  maintained.  The  churches  must 
be  eligibly  situated  and  attractively  furnished. 

"  Even  the  Methodists  are  falling  into  the  fashionable 
ways.  Instead  of  the  plain  meeting-houses  with  which 
they  were  formerly  content,  they  are  now  building  elegant 
temples  of  worship.  Their  system  of  itinerancy  must  be 
modified  to  meet  the  views  of  metropolitan  congregations. 
They  insist  on  selecting  their  own  preachers,  and  will  not 
have  them  changed  every  few  years,  after  the  old  plan, 
which  proved  so  successful. 

"  There  is  the  same  demand  for  taking  preachers  in  the 
leading  churches  of  all  the  denominations.  They  are  after 
popular  men,  for  without  such  in  their  pulpits  they  will  be 
distanced  by  their  neighbors  in  possession  of  the  necessary 
attraction.  When  a  large  church  loses  its  pastor  the  work 
of  selecting  his  successor  often  occupies  many  months. 
Committees  will  travel  far  and  near  searching  for  a  man  of 
the  requisite  eloquence  and  proper  refinement  of  manners. 
It  is  as  when  Mr.  Mapleson  starts  out  in  pursuit  of  a  new 
tenor.  The  fate  of  their  houses  may  depend  on  their  suc- 
cess. Young  preachers  all  over  the  country  dream  of 
winning  the  prize  of  the  pulpit  of  a  great  city  church. 

':  All  this  makes  the  maintenance  of  a  city  church  much 
more  costly  than  formerly,  and  the  expense  increases  with 
its  fashion.  Hence  pew  rents  have  gone  up,  and  here  are 
churches  in  Xew  York  which  are  attended  only  or  almost 
entirely  by  well-to-do  people.  In  order  to  get  a  sprinkling 
of  poverty  in  their  congregations  they  sometimes  even  go 
so  far  as  to  practically  hire  a  special  body  of  paupers  to  fill 
the  seats  allotted  to  the  poor.  That  is,  they  support  them 
and  coddle  them,  with  the  implied  understanding  that  they 
shall  '  come  to  church.'  But  the  great  mass  of  the  indigent, 
and  of  those  who  know  poverty  in  its  different  grades,  would 
no  more  think  of  entering  these  halls,  presumably  dedicated 


BISHOPS  IN  FAVOR  01  EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES.  261 

to  God,  than  they  would  of  probing  their  way  into  the  box 
circle  of  the  Academy  of  Music  on  an  opera  night  without 
a  ticket.  It.  is  true,  rich  congregations  will  support  mis- 
sion churches  for  the  special  use  of  their  poorer  neighbors  ; 
but  what  ignorance  of  human  nature  that  shows  !  What 
a  perversion  of  Christianity  is  involved  in  it  ! 

"  It  is  obvious  that,  if  the  churches  are  ever  to  reach  all 
parts  of  society,  they  must  treat  them  all  alike  as  equal 
before  God.  If  their  necessities  require  that  they  charge 
a  price  for  a  seat,  it  must  be  the  same  for  everybody  and 
within  the  means  of  people  on  the  average.  They  cannot 
expect  that  the  masses,  as  they  call  them,  will  visit  temples 
of  worship  where  manifest  distinctions  are  made  between 
them  and  the  more  successful  in  a  worldly  sense.  That  is 
not  Christianity,  and  the  people  know  it,  and  know  it  now 
more  thoroughly  than  ever  before, 

"  The  Episcopalians  who  met  on  Thursday  evening  to 
push  forward  the  movement  for  free  churches  are  there- 
fore proceeding  in  the  right  direction.  But  the  Gospel  must 
not  only  be  free,  it  must  also  be  genuine.  '  The  true  way 
to  spread  the  Gospel  among  the  masses,'  about  which  they 
talked,  is  to  preach  it  in  earnest,  and  to  show  them  that 
you  are  as  ready  to  practice  it  yourself  as  you  are  to  ask 
them  to  do  it."     Shall  Evangelists  be  sent  to  them  ? 

Bishops  and  a  number  of  presbyters  were  anxious  to 
answer  "  Yes,"  but  there  was  no  fund  to  support  one 
Evangelist  for  more  than  a  few  months.  "  Influential  par- 
ishes," who  could  afford  to  pay  the  expenses  of  a  mission, 
practically  said  :  "  We  have  our  regular  services  and  do 
not  need  a  mission."  "  Feeble  parishes"  said  :  "  We  much 
need  and  desire  a  mission,  but  could  not  raise  a  dollar 
toward  the  expenses."  The  Board  of  Domestic  Missions 
had  so  much  difficulty  in  obtaining  money  to  support 
the  Missionary  Bishops,  and  their  few  clerical  assistants  in 


262  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


the  far  West,  that  they  could  not  afford  to  support  even 
one  Evangelist  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Christless  mul- 
titudes in  eastern  towns  and  cities.  Money  for  this  pur- 
pose could  not  be  asked  from  "  The  Diocesan  Mission" 
fund,  for  the  treasury  was  empty.  At  the  time  so  many 
Bishops  were  in  favor  of  special  evangelistic  services,  the 
following  appeal  was  published  in  the  Church  Journal : 

"  Dear  Brethren  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity  :  It  becomes 
my  imperative  duty  to  call  your  immediate  attention  to  the 
mission  work  of  this  diocese — not  the  general  Domestic 
Missions  of  the  country,  but  the  missions  witliin  the  lijnits  of 
this  Diocese  of  New  York.  Twenty-five  missionaries  are  at 
work — faithfully,  earnestly,  with  much  self-denial — in  the 
interior  of  this  diocese.  .  .  .  The  treasury  of  the  missions 
of  this  diocese  is  completely  exhausted.  But  the  work 
must  go  on,  and  the  laborer  must  be  paid.  ...  If  there 
are  any  who  will  not  smile  upon  this  Christian  work,  then 
let  other  loving  hearts  deal  with  it  all  the  more  liberally. 
But  there  is  need  of  promptness  in  giving  !  God  be  with 
you  and  bless  you.  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 
"  Horatio  Potter,  Bishop  of  New  York. 

11  New  York,  March  9th,  1874." 

In  November,  1885,  the  Bishop  of  Long  Island  felt  con- 
strained to  sound  aloud  the  unfilled  treasury's  dirge  trum- 
pet.  .   .   . 

11  But  in  no  regard  has  the  Church's  weakness  in  pushing 
on  her  missions  been  so  deplorable  as  in  her  proved  in- 
ability to  call  out,  in  any  decent  measure,  her  own  pecuni- 
ary resources  for  the  work.  The  wealthiest  of  all  Christian 
bodies  in  proportion  to  her  numbers,  she  seems  to  have  had 
less  control  of  her  wealth  than  any  other.  Time  and  again 
appeals  have  been  made  and  measures  devised  to  abate  this 


BISHOPS  IX  FAVOR  OF  EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES.  263 

evil,  but  thus  far  with  little  practical  effect.  Part  of  the 
evil  is  traceable,  no  doubt,  to  alack  of  interest  in  the  cause 
among  the  mass  of  churchmen,  but  quite  as  much  is  due 
to  the  want  of  system  in  raising  money.  The  annual  re- 
ceipts show"  how  feebly  the  laity,  as  a  whole,  recognize 
their  missionary  obligations,  and  they  show,  too,  just  as 
plainly,  the  loose  and  irregular  practice  of  the  great  major- 
ity of  our  parishes.  At  least  one  fifth  of  them,  and  perhaps 
more,  not  only  give  nothing  to  the  cause,  but  habitually 
neglect  to  notice  the  cause  itself  as  imposing  upon  them 
any  duty  whatever." 

The  Bishops  who  can  unite  in  the  solo  dirge,  "  an  empty 
treasury,"  could  form  a  financial  orchestra  to  unite  in  its 
plaintive  chorus.  Our  Missionary  Bishops  in  the  far 
West  could  sound  aloud  as  interludes  :  "  Ye  rich  Eastern 
churchmen,  we  are  still  in  financial  need  ;  do,  we  pray  you, 
remember  us /"  Your  grand  church  music,  a  ten-thou- 
sand-a-year  luxury,  cannot  drown  our  cry,  Do  help  us/" 
The  Rev.  T.  IV.  Haskins,  of  Jubilee,  111.,  wrote  an  article 
published  in  the  Churchman  of  November  4th,  1886,  under 
the  title,  "  The  Church  a  Beggar.'*  He  says  :  "  It  is  no  un- 
common thing  to  hear  such  and  such  a  bishop  character- 
ized as  a  'good  beggar,'  or  '  the  prince  of  beggars.'  How 
may  the  continuous  dirge  cease  to  annoy  ?  Come  to  their 
financial  aid  in  His  Name  who  commands,  '  Give,  and  it 
shall  be  returned  to  you  in  blessings  abundant  and  over- 
flowing.' " 

11  Is  special  evangelistic  work  needed  in  New  York 
City  ?"  is  answered  by  the  following  facts.  If  all  the  peo- 
ple should  resolve  to  attend  church  on  any  given  Sunday, 
two  thirds  would  have  to  remain  outside  ;  for  in  the 
churches  of  all  the  denominations  there  is  only  sufficient 
room  for  about  one  third  of  the  population!  And  while  in 
the  city  are  over  500,000  mechanics  and  workmen  living  in 


264  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


tenement  houses  who  attend  no  place  of  worship,  many 
of  the  city  churches  are  only  half  filled  after  attractive  sub- 
jects have  been  advertised  in  the  religious  columns  of  the 
Saturday  and  Sunday  papers  !  If  disposed  to  keep  holy 
the  Sabbath  day,  they  could  not  pay  the  high  pew  rents 
and  decently  clothe  their  families  ;  and  many  are  too  proud 
to  go  to  chapels  erected  by  rich  parishes  or  wealthy  laymen 
for  the  poor.  They  prefer  to  stay  at  home,  lest  their  neigh- 
bors conclude  that  they  also  are  recipients  of  "chapel  alms." 
The  City  of  Churches,  Brooklyn,  is  said  to  have  40,000 
churchgoers,  and  360,000  that  do  not  go  to  church.  Send 
them  evangelists  !  On  a  recent  pleasant  Sunday  it  was 
found  that  in  Jersey  City,  containing  100,000  inhabitants, 
there  were  only  about  7700  persons  in  attendance  at  all  the 
Protestant  places  of  worship. 

"  Are  Evangelists  needed  in  New  York  and  vicinity  ?" 
Before  he  was  Bishop,  the  Rev.  Hugh  Miller  Thompson, 
D.D.,  said  :  "  Brethren  of  the  Church  of  God,  is  there  any- 
thing in  this  world  you  so  much  desire  as  that  these  multi- 
tudes should  be  brought  to  the  saving  knowledge  of 
Christ  ?  It  is  certain  God  wills  it.  And  how  dare  we,  for 
a  moment,  question  the  '  expediency  !  of  immediately  en- 
tering upon  this  work  ? 

"  Say  not,  Our  doors  are  open,  let  these  multitudes  come 
in  !  You  know  they  will  not  come  to  the  ordinary  service, 
so  far  and  so  long  have  they  wandered  from  their  Father's 
house.  They  are  spiritually  blind  ;  they  cannot  find  the 
way,  and  in  their  blindness  they  are  dying  !  Like  Lazarus 
at  the  rich  man's  gate,  these  perishing  souls  are  to-day 
asking  you  for  bread — bread  for  their  souls.  Shall  they 
have  it  ?" 

' '  Bring  all  the  tithes  into  mine  house,  that  there  may  be  meat  in  my  house, 
and  try  me  now  herewith,  saith  Jehovah  of  Hosts,  whether  I  will  not 
open  for  you  the  wonders  of  heaven,  and  pour  out  a  blessing  upon 
you  till  there  shall  be  superabundance.*1 


F/S//OFS  IN  FAVOR  OF  EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES.  26 


Then  Zion  will  arise  and  shine,  and  her  warming  glow 
be  felt  ;  her  terraces  will  drop  down  new  wine  ;  the  Gospel 
seed  sown  will  be  productive,  and  the  Church  harvest  be 
joyful. 

To  what  class  of  citizens  is  it  the  duty  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  to  minister  ?  How  can  the  people  hear  without  a 
preacher?  Can  Bishops  send  forth  Evangelists  without  a 
fund  to  support  them  ?  How  long  before  more  of  the  rich 
laity  will  come  to  their  aid?  Who  will  speedily  obey  the 
inspired  financial  mandate,  "  Bring  all  the  tithes,"  etc.? 


266  THE    CHURCH  REV 'IV ED. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

MISSION    IN    THE    HOUSE    OF    PRAYER,     NEWARK,  N.   J. 

Services  Easter  Sunday — Christ  Denied  by  Peter — Satan 
Frustrated — Peter  s  Subsequent  Faithfuhiess  —Services  Good 
Friday — The  Saviour  s  Last  Words — The  Brilliant  Chancel 
—  The  Music  and  Sermon — Service  in  the  Afternoon — New 
Choristers  Vested— Closing  Sermon  of  the  Mission  —  The  Risen 
Christ  enthroned  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

The  Rector  of  the  House  of  Prayer,  Newark,  the  Rev.  H. 
Goodwin,  T>.D.,  and  the  members  of  the  parish  guild,  had 
done  all  in  their  power  to  prepare  for  the  mission  com- 
menced the  Sunday  next  before  Easter.  A  local  paper 
reported  some  of  the  services  : 

"  The  mission  services  in  the  House  of  Prayer  last  evening 
were  opened  by  singing  a  hymn,  followed  by  a  brief  ser- 
vice, after  which  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  the  Evangelist 
who  is  conducting  the  mission,  preached  an  able  and  fer- 
vent discourse  from  the  words,  '  Peter  went  out  and  wept 
bitterly.'  At  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon  Mr.  Bonham  de- 
livered a  short  '  instruction'  on  the  lessons  to  be  learned  by 
all  Christians  from  St.  Peter's  denial  of  our  Lord.  He  said 
that  Peter's  tears  were  symbols  of  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  developing  his  character.  Satan  tempted  Peter 
in  the  hope  of  obliterating  his  faith  by  causing  him  to  fall, 
but  God  frustrated  his  design,  and  after  Christ's  resurrec- 
tion St.  Peter  became  a  power  for  Christ.  In  the  mirror 
of  the  Gospel  we  see  him  as  a  man  lacking  modesty,  and 


MISSION  IX    THE   HOUSE   OF  PRAYER.  2(17 

planning- but  not  executing  ;  but  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles 
we  see  him  pictured  as  full  of  strength,  fearlessness  and 
efficiency,  wise,  stable  and  eloquent,  and  boldly  preaching 
that  Christ  whom  he  had  thrice  denied.  The  Holy  Spirit 
wrought  wonders  in  both  quickening  and  energizing  him 
to  do  aggressive  Church  work.  He  then  urged  his  hearers 
to  avoid  St.  Peter's  mistake,  and  to  make  Christ's  cause 
their  own,  in  order  that  it  be  known  that  in  sunshine  and 
in  storm  they  are  not  ashamed  of  Him.  He  closed  with  a 
fervent  appeal  to  all  present  to  return  to  the  Lord  at  once. 
Rev.  Mr.  Goodwin  then  made  an  earnest  address,  urging 
the  congregation  to  interest  themselves  actively  in  the  work 
of  the  mission,  and  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  induce  others 
to  attend  the  services.  On  Good  Friday  a.  three-hours' 
service  was  held.  The  Rector  made  short  addresses  on 
the  Saviour's  last  words  when  dying. 

"  Large  congregations  attended  all  the  services  during 
the  week.  On  Easter  Sunday  the  Holy  Communion  was 
celebrated  at  6,  7.30  and  10.30  a.m.  The  church  was  so 
densely  crowded  that  it  was  difficult  for  the  missioner  to 
reach  the  pulpit,  which  was  outside  of  the  chancel.  The 
pews  and  benches  in  the  side  aisles  were  all  filled,  and  a  num- 
ber of  persons  were  compelled  to  stand  during  the  entire 
service.  The  services  began  with  the  'Processional,'  the 
choir  and  clergyman  entering  the  rear  door  and  passing  up 
the  middle  aisle,  singing,  '  Christ  is  Risen  to-day,  Alle 
luia.'  As  the  service  progressed  the  following  music  was 
finely  rendered  :  Anthem,  '  Christ  our  Passover,'  Chapell  ; 
Te  Deum,  Whitfield  ;  Jubilate,  Bridgewater  ;  Anthem, 
'  I  Waited  for  the  Lord,'  Mendelssohn  ;  Hymn,  '  He  is 
Risen.'  The  remainder  of  the  service  wTas  by  Barnby,  in 
E,  including  the  Nicene  Creed.  The  chancel  was  a  blaze 
of  light,  there  being  a  large  number  of  candles.  The  two 
new  dorsels  of  blue  and   gold,  filled  with  lighted  candles, 


268  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


made  a  very  impressive  effect.  The  whole  altar  seemed 
one  mass  of  flowers  and  lights,  and  the  effect  was  very  fine. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  preached  an  eloquent  discourse  on  the 
resurrection  of  Christ,  based  on  Rev.  i  :  17,  18.  The 
preacher  gave  a  very  graphic  description  of  St.  John's 
vision,  compared  in  an  able  manner  Christ  and  Adam,  and 
called  them  the  hinges  on  which  the  world  moves.  The 
floral  decorations  were  very  chaste  and  in  excellent  taste, 
consisting  of  an  elegant  cross  of  white  flowers  on  the 
reredos,  several  bouquets  on  the  altar,  a  handsome 
memorial  floral  cross  on  the  pulpit,  and  one  at  one  of  the 
windows  in  the  south  aisle.  The  font  was  filled  with 
calla  lilies  and  other  choice  flowers  in  pots,  with  a  large 
cross  of  immortelles  rising  from  the  centre,  the  gift  of  a 
family  in  the  church  in  memory  of  their  departed  mother. 
The  altar  was  brilliantly  lighted  up  with  a  large  number 
of  candles,  which  cast  a  soft  light  on  the  white  hangings 
behind  the  altar. 

"At  the  Litany  service  in  the  afternoon  the  Rector 
preached  an  able  sermon  from  the  words  :  '  Woman, 
why  weepest  thou?'  Immediately  after  the  Magnificat 
two  boys  were  admitted  to  the  choir.  The  candidates 
knelt  on  the  steps  of  the  chancel  vested  in  cassocks.  Their 
surplices  were  taken  from  the  altar  by  one  of  the  acolytes 
and  handed  to  the  priest,  who  placed  them  on  the  boys. 
After  singing  appropriate  versicles  the  new  choristers  were 
conducted  to  their  stalls.  In  the  evening  the  church  was 
again  crowded,  and  a  portion  cf  the  morning's  music  was 
repeated.  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  preached  the  closing  sermon 
of  the  mission,  from  the  words,  '  Looking  unto  Jesus,  the 
Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith,  who  for  the  joy  that  was 
set  before  Him  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame, 
and  is  now  set  down  at  the  right  hand  cf  God." 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  TRINITY.  269 


CHAPTER   IX. 

MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    TRINITY. 

Forenoon  Bible  Readings — Afternoon  Services  for  Women  only 
— Evening  Services  in  the  Church — Large  Class  Confirmed — ■ 
The  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford,  of  England— The  Gospel  Tent- 
Good  Results. 

The  Rev.  S.  H.  Tyng,  Jr.,  D.D.,  Rector  of  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Trinity,  New  York,  desired  special  services, 
but  knew  of  no  Rector  who  could  render  him  assistance. 
He  kindly  said  :  "  Should  it  injure  the  author,  as  a  mis- 
sioner,  to  hold  a  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  in  view  of  its  evangelical  character,  he  would  not 
press  his  invitation."  He  concluded  to  help  him  "  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  should  he  not  be  invited  to  hold  any 
other  mission."  When  it  was  known  that  he  was  doing 
so,  a  dear  clerical  brother  kindly  wrote  :  "  What  will 
become  of  you  as  a  missioner,  now  it  is  known  that  you 
are  holding  a  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity  ?'' 
He  soon  received  the  reply:  "  When  the  time  shall  come 
that  he  can  hold  no  more  missions  he  will  then  be  able  to 
decide  ;"  and  added:  "  If  he  could  glorify  his  Master  by 
so  doing,  he  would  preach  Christ  at  the  mouth  of  a 
place  whose  name  it  would  not  be  polite  to  specify." 

The  Church  Journal 's  report  : 

11  The  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Madi- 
son Avenue  and  Forty-second  Street,  commenced  Sunday, 
April    4th,    was    one    of    unusual    interest.        Though    an- 


270  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

nounced  to  continue  but  one  week,  it  was  continued  four 
weeks,  and  at  its  close  the  interest  was  greater  than  at 
any  previous  time. 

"  The  9  A.M.  meeting  for  inquirers  and  Bible  instruction 
was  conducted  by  the  Rector  of  the  parish.  Morning  after 
morning  for  over  four  weeks  a  large  number  assembled, 
and  as  the  services  drew  to  a  close  additional  seats  were 
needed,  and  some  listened  standing  in  the  chapel  en- 
trance." 

All  present  were  supplied  with  Bibles,  and  the  exposi- 
tions given  were  profitable  and  soul-inspiring,  and  resulted 
in  growth  in  grace  and  increased  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

11  The  afternoon  Bible-readings  for  women  only  were  by 
two  Church  of  England  Bible-women.  Readings  were  also 
given  by  the  wife  of  the  Evangelist.  A  great  interest  was 
awakened,  and  a  fresh  impetus  given  to  woman's  work  for 
Christ,  Many  ladies  in  the  region  have  ample  time  to 
spare  and  ability  to  work  for  Christ,  and  a  number  have 
resolved  to  thus  use  it. 

11  The  evening  mission  service  was  held  in  the  capacious 
church.  x\t  the  week-night  services  a  goodly  number 
were  present,  and  at  the  last  more  than  on  any  previous 
occasion.  The  mission  sermons  were  preached  by  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Bonham.  The  instruction  was  given  by  the  Rector 
of  the  parish,  who  also,  with  the  skill  of  a  Church  of  Eng- 
land missioner,  ably  conducted  the  after-meetings.  At 
nearly  every  service  some  decided  to  accept  the  salvation 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  some  who  for  years  had  rejected 
Him  were  by  the  Holy  Ghost  bowed  down  to  receive  Him. 

"  During  the  mission,- on  week  evenings,  after  the  litur- 
gical service,  the  Rector  and  members  of  the  class  for  con- 
firmation went  from  the  church  to  the  chapel.  While  the 
missioner  was  preaching  in  the  church  the  Rector  in  the 
chapel  was  giving  faithful  instruction  respecting  the  quali- 


MISSION  IN   THE  CillRCH  OF  THE  HOLY  TRINITY.  271 


fications  for  the  solemn  rite  of  confirmation.  In  obedience 
to  a  signal  that  the  sermon  had  ended,  they  returned  to  the 
churcfa,  and  after  a  hymn  the  Rector  gave  an  instruction 
based  on  the  special  topic  of  the  sermon,  as  if  he  had  heard 
it  ! 

"  During  the  mission,  the  assistant  minister,  the  Rev. 
C.  H.  Kettell,  took  part  in  the  services.  After  one  of  the 
sermons,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Curry,  of  Philadelphia,  made  an 
effective  address.  To  further  the  work  of  the  mission,  the 
members  of  the  House  of  the  Evangelists  were  all  kept 
busy. 

"  On  the  first  three  Sunday  evenings  of  the  mission 
period  the  sermons  were  preached  by  the  Rector  of  the 
parish  to  between  two  thousand  and  three  thousand  per- 
sons. At  two  of  the  after-meetings  between  five  hundred 
and  six  hundred  persons  remained.  On  the  fourth  Sunday 
the  mission  closed.  At  the  morning  service,  after  a  ser- 
mon by  the  Rector  on  '  Assurance  of  Salvation,'  about  one 
thousand  persons  received  the  Holy  Communion. 

"  The  anniversary  of  the  Sunday-schools  connected  with 
the  parish  church  and  its  mission  chapels  was  held  in  the 
afternoon.  Over  two  thousand  seven  hundred  children 
connected  with  the  schools,  with  the  rector,  superintend- 
ents, teachers  and  children,  seemed  very,  very  happy,  and 
lustily  sang  :  '  Oh,  that  will  be  joyful,  when  we  meet  to 
part  no  more  ! '  " 

At  the  service  in  the  evening  over  two  thousand  persons 
were  present.  To  encourage  those  who  were  afraid  to 
emulate  Archbishops,  Bishops,  and  eminent  clergy  and 
laity  of  the  Church  of  England,  instead  of  preaching  a 
sermon,  the  missioner  closed  the  Thirty  Days'  Mission  by 
delivering  a  lecture  on  "  The  Great  Revival  in  the  Church 
of  England."  In  alluding  to  the  after-meetings  he  said 
that  "  during  the  Four  Weeks'  Mission  the  Rector  had  not 


272  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


reached  the  mission  limits  which  Archbishops  and  Bishops 
of  the  Church  of  England  sanction.  At  the  close  of  the 
lecture  the  Rector  gave  a  sketch  of  the  origin,  continu- 
ance and  success  of  the  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity.  Though  the  interest  was  still  great,  the  strength 
of  the  Rector  and  Evangelist  would  not  allow  them  to 
continue  the  mission  longer. 

After  the  service  a  son  of  ex-Mayor  Havemeyer  of- 
fered to  pay  for  printing  the  lecture,  that  it  might  be  freely 
sent  to  each  clergyman  of  our  Church  in  the  United  States. 
This  liberal  offer  from  a  "  Presbyterian  "  was  accepted. 
The  lecture  was  printed  and  sent,  as  he  desired. 

The  Sunday  evening  after  the  mission  one  hundred 
and  six  persons  were  confirmed.  The  venerable  and  highly 
esteemed  Bishop  Horatio  Potter,  and  the  father  of  the 
Rector,  the  Rev.  S.  H.  Tyng,  D. D.,  Rector  of  St.  George's 
Church,  delivered  interesting  addresses.  The  congrega- 
tion completely  filled  the  church,  and  the  service  was  one 
of  unusual  interest.  The  interest  awakened  by  the  mission 
was  not  allowed  to  subside.*  The  present  efficient  Rector 
of  St.  George's  Church,  who  had  been  so  useful  in  England, 
crossed  the  ocean  to  follow  up  the  mission,  and  awakened 
still  greater  interest.  Whenever  he  preached  in  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Trinity  persons  from  different  parts  of  the  city 
were  among  the  crowded  congregations.  The  large  Gospel 
tent,  where  he  preached  for  several  successive  weeks,  was 
too  small  to  contain  all  the  people  who  were  anxious  to  be 
benefited  by  his  earnest  Gospel  sermons.  His  expository 
mode  of  preaching  induced  the  people  to  use  the  Bible  at 
the  services.     As  he  announced  the  proof-texts  of  his  topic 


*  A  sketch  of  this  mission  was  published  in  a  volume  entitled 
"  Evangelists  of  the  Church,  from  Philip,  the  Deacon,  to  Moody  & 
Sankey." 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HO!  V  TRINITY.  273 

old  women  were  among  those  present  who  turned  to  pas- 
sage after  passage  ;  and,  as  they  both  heard  and  saw  what 
the  Lord  had  spoken,  a  double  impression  was  made 
through  the  two  combined  senses.  Later,  he  held  the  first 
parochial  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Har- 
lem, and  before  his  return  to  England  held  a  mission  in 
Louisville,  Kentucky  ;  London,  Huron,  and  in  Toronto, 
Canada.  An  account  of  the  great  interest  his  missions 
awakened  in  Canada  may  be  found  in  "  The  Church  Re- 
vived," Part  III.  Missioner  Aitken  desired  his  able  assist- 
ance in  England,  but  he  was  induced  to  settle  in  America. 
His  zeal  as  a  missioner,  and  efficiency  as  the  Rector  of 
St.  George's  church,  New  York  City,  are  well  known,  for 
the  church  is  now  crowded  as  in  days  that  have  passed. 


274  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   X. 

MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ASCENSION,  BROOKLYN. 

The   Bishop's    Pastoral — The    Rector  s    Programme — General 
Repo?'t — Results  of  the  Mission. 

Years  ago  the  earnest  Bishop  of  Long  Island  was  deeply- 
interested  in  Parochial  Missions.  Before  the  mission  in 
the  Church  of  the  Ascension  commenced  he  wrote  the 
following  earnest  and  affectionate  Pastoral  : 

Dear  Brethren  :  It  is  proposed,  with  the  help  of  the 
Lord,  to  have  a  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Ascension, 
Greenpoint,  commencing  Sunday,  January  3d,  and  con- 
tinuing eight  days. 

A  mission  consists  of  a  series  of  services,  with  frequent 
communion,  and  opportunities  for  prayer,  and  heart-stir- 
ring sermons,  intended  "  to  subdue  and  deepen,  and  con- 
vert hearts  that  have  become  hard  or  shallow,  or  divided  by 
the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  or  the  wiles  of  Satan,  or  the  cares  of 
this  world,  and  to  nourish  the  sincere  heart,  that  it  may 
bring  forth  much  fruit."  It  isj"to  call  upon  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  revive  His  work  ;  to  convert  the  ungodly 
and  formal  ;  to  convince  of  sin  and  unbelief  ;  and  to  turn 
sinners  from  dead  vyorks  to  the  service  of  the  living  God." 
Its  one  aim  is  to  bring  souls  one  by  one  to  the  point  of 
accepting  the  gift  of  everlasting  life." 

It  is  only  God's  power  that  can  do  this.  "  Draw  nigh 
unto  God  and  He  will  draw  nigh  unto  you."      Let  us  draw 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ASCENSION,      276 


nigh,  brethren,  with  faith  to  plead  for  ourselves  and  others 
— our  children,  or  parents,  or  husband,  brother  or  sister, 
wife  or  friend,  and  He  will  answer  :  "  Go  thy  way,  thy  son 
liveth  ;"  "  Thy  daughter  is  made  whole  from  this  very 
hour  ;"  "  Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee  ;"  "  Go  in  peace,  thy 
faith  hath  saved  thee  ;"  "  Neither  do  I  condemn  thee,  go 
and  sin  no  more."  Think  not  to  do  this  without  God's 
help.  "  There  is  salvation  in  no  other;"  "  There  is  none 
other  Name  under  heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we 
can  be  saved."  An  Evangelist  is  coming  among  us  in 
the  Name  of  the  Lord  to  urge  us  "to  repentance  and  to  do 
works  meet  for  repentance."  I  ask  you,  dear  brethren,  for 
Him  and  for  myself,  "  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord, 
to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty,"  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  this  one  object — the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  those  who  have  gone  astray  in  the  wilderness  of 
the  world,  that  the  House  of  God  may  be  to  them,  as  it  is 
to  us,  the  House  of  prayer  for  all  people.  I  plead,  there- 
fore, with  you,  to  help  with  all  your  power  in  this  great 
undertaking.  Come  to  the  mission  yourself,  not  once  only, 
but  regularly,  even  at  the  cost  of  inconvenience.  Bring 
others  ;  compel  them  by  your  wise  and  loving  entreaties. 
If  you  come  others  will,  and  there  is  a  mysterious  strength 
and  comfort  in  numbers.  If  you  stay  away  you  will 
discourage  others  and  hinder  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Give 
yourself  to  prayer,  and  self-examination,  and  reading  the 
Scriptures,  and  in  seeking  out  others  and  bringing  them 
to  the  House  of  God.  Ask  God  to  help  you.  "  Him  that 
cometh  unto  Me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  If  there  be 
no  inclination  to  come  or  to  pray  or  to  help,  perhaps  the 
suggestions  of  Satan,  the  cares  of  the  world,  or  the  lusts 
of  self-indulgence  stand  in  the  way.  "  Resist  the  Devil 
and  he  will  flee  from  you."  Ask  God's  help  and  guid- 
ance.    He  will  help  you.     Ask  yourself,  "  What  can  I  do 


276  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

for  God  ?"  Read  these  leaflets  which  I  send  you,  and 
circulate  them  among  all  you  can  reach.  Let  every  soul 
be  a  missionary  for  God.  Use  the  Collects  for  the  Third 
Sunday  in  Advent,  Whitsun  Day,  St.  Peter's  Day,  St.  John 
the  Baptist's  Day,  the  Conversion  of  St.  Paul,  the  First 
Sunday  in  Lent,  and  the  Twenty-fifth  Sunday  after 
Trinity.  Are  you  prevented  by  sickness,  or  the  care  of  the 
sick,  from  taking  an  active  part  in  the  mission  ?  You  can 
pray.  "  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  the  righteous 
availeth  much."  Do  you  know  of  any  parents  whose  chil- 
dren you  can  care  for  while  they  attend  some  of  the  mis- 
sion services  ?  Here  is  an  opportunity  for  self-denial. 
Read  in  the  Scriptures  to  them,  how  Moses  prayed,  and 
Elijah,  and  David,  and  Solomon,  and  Job,  and  Daniel, 
and  our  Blessed  Lord,  and  Stephen  and  Paul  ;  and  how 
Jesus  in  the  Revelation  of  St.  John  says  :  "  I  Jesus  have 
sent  mine  angel  to  testify  unto  you  these  things  in  the 
churches.  I  am  the  Root  and  Offspring  of  David,  and 
the  bright  and  morning  star.  And  the  Spirit  and  the 
Bride  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  heareth  say,  Come. 
And  let  him  that  is  athirst  come.  And  whosoever  will,  let 
him  take  the  water  of  life  freely." 

Affectionately  your  friend  and  Bishop, 

A.  Newkirk  Littlejohn, 
Bishop  of  Long  Island. 

Through  the  press  and  in  other  ways,  the  Rector  notified 
the  large  number  of  mechanics  and  the  residents  in  the 
vicinity,  that  a  special  evangelistic  effort  would  be  made 
for  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  earnestly  prayed  :  "  That 
in  the  last  day,  when  Christ  shall  appear  in  His  glorious 
majestv  to  judge  both  the  quick  and  the  dead,  they  may 
rise  to  the  life  immortal,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.7' 

The  Rector's  invitation  : 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ASCENSION.     277 


COME   TO   THE    MISSION! 


The  Rev.   J.   W.   Bonham, 

CHURCH    EVANGELIST, 

Will  commence  a  Mission,  to  continue  eight  days,  in  the 

Church  of  the  Ascension, 

GREENPOINT, 
SUNDAY,    NOVEMBER    15TH. 


Order  of  Services. 

SUNDAYS. — Holy  Communion, 7        a.m. 

Morning  Prayer 9        A.M. 

Litany  and  Sermon 10.30  A.m. 

Holy  Communion,  Second  Celebration 12            M. 

Evening  Prayer  and  Short  Sermon  to  Children,   .  4        p.m. 

Mission  Sermon, 7.30  P.M. 

After  the  Sermon  an  Instruction,   ......  8.30  p.m. 

Daily  Services. 

Holy  Communion. 7        a.m. 

Litany, 12  M. 

Evening  Prayer  and  Instruction, 4        p.m. 

Mission  Sermon,        7.30  p.m. 

After  the  Sermon  an  Instruction,         8.30  p.m. 

In  the  intervals  between  these  services,  after  12  o'clock,  the 
Clergy  engaged  in  the  Mission  will  welcome  in  private  all  who 
may  seek  guidance  or  counsel,  or  who  are  disquieted  by  the 
bruise  of  sin,  or  troubled  by  grief  of  soul  over  misspent  years 
and  neglected  opportunities  of  grace. 

A    MISSION 
is  a  special  call  from  God  to  the  unconverted.     Jonah  preached 
a   Mission  to   the   people  of  Nineveh,  and  that  great  city  was 
saved  ;  John  the  Baptist  preached  a  Mission  to  the  Jews,  and 
many  pressed  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven. 

COME     TO     THE     MISSION! 

"The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that 
heareth  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  is  athirst  come.  And 
whoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely." — Rev. 
22  :  17. 

Rev.   Thomas  W.   Haskins,   Rector. 


278  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


DESCRIPTION  OF    THE    MISSION    AT    GREENPOINT.* 

An  Eight  Days'  Mission,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bonham,  the  Evangelist,  and  the  Rector  of  the  parish 
(the  Rev.  Mr.  Haskins),  was  begun  in  the  Church  of  the 
Ascension,  on  Sunday,  the  15th  of  November. 

The  Rector  had  taken  pains  to  prepare  the  people  of 
Greenpoint  for  these  special  services  by  issuing  circulars 
of  invitation  to  "  Come  to  the  Mission,"  and  by  posting 
notices  of  the  services  in  all  parts  of  the  city.  A  pastoral 
letter  from  himself,  with  one  from  the  Bishop,  was  circu- 
lated throughout  the  parish,  and  no  means  were  left  untried 
to  impress  on  the  minds  of  the  congregation  the  fact  that 
a  special  call  from  God  was  made  for  them  to  devote  the 
week  to  earnest  prayer,  and  attendance  on  public  worship, 
for  the  conversion  of  souls  and  the  quickening  of  the 
spiritual  life  of  the  parish. 

The  services  have  been  marked  by  deep  seriousness,  and 
the  congregations  steadily  increased  from  the  beginning. 
They  have  attracted  much  attention,  and  have  excited  a 
deal  of  interest,  not  only  among  the  clergy  and  members 
of  the  church,  but  in  the  people  of  every  shade  of  religious 
opinion  and  practice.  At  the  10.30  and  7.30  services  on 
Sunday  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  gave  a  very  vivid  descrip- 
tion of  the  great  London  Mission,  and  thus  enabled  the 
congregation  to  arrive  at  a  very  faithful  conception  of  the 
magnitude  and  character  of  the  work  in  England.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  also  preached  on  Monday  evening  on 
"Peter  went  out  and  wept  bitterly,'"  addressing  himself  to 
timid  people  who  follow  the  Lord  under  a  sort  of  protest, 
because  their  friends  or  parents  do  so,  but  who  are  afraid 
to  acknowledge  Christ   before   the   world  or  among  their 


*  From  a  local  paper. 


MISSION  IN.  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ASCENSION. 


intimate  associates.  This  was  followed  by  a  short,  earnest 
instruction  by  the  Rector.  The  Tuesday  evening  sermon 
was  on  St.  Paul's  diseourse  before  Felix,  and  that  of  Wed- 
nesday evening  on  "  The  Foreshadows  of  Future  Retribu- 
tion.'' These  sermons  are  entirely  destitute  of  all  sensa- 
tionalism, but  apply  the  great  truths  of  the  Gospel  in  such 
a  way  as  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  most  careless,  and  to 
incite  to  deeper  spiritual  life  those  who  have  grown  cold 
and  worldly  in  the  Christian  profession.  The  Rev. 
Messrs.  Spencer,  Chadwell,  Short,  Clapp  and  Middleton 
were  present  at  services  on  Thursday.  The  Evangelist 
preached  on  Christ  knocking  for  admission  at  the  sinner's 
bolted  heart,  who  is  excluded  by  sin  and  worldliness  ;  and 
that  He  knocks  by  prosperity  and  adversity.  The  instruc- 
tion that  followed  the  sermon  contrasted  the  frustrated 
builders  of  the  tower  of  Babel  with  those  who  reach 
heaven  by  the  appointed  means  of  grace. 

At  the  four  o'clock  services  the  instruction  had  been  of  a 
very  familiar  kind — the  inculcation  of  practical,  holy  living, 
and  conducted  by  the  Rector,  and,  on  two  occasions,  by 
the  Rev.  I.  C.  Middleton,  S.T.D.,  of  Glen  Cove. 

In  the  intervals  between  the  daily  services  the  clergy 
were  present  in  the  church  to  meet  in  private  any  persons 
seeking  counsel  or  guidance,  or  those  who  were  troubled 
in  conscience  on  account  of  sin. 

It  is  not  time  yet  to  speak  of  results.  The  aim  has  been 
to  do  the  work  faithfully,  and  leave  the  issues  to  God.  Yet 
even  thus  early  good  results  are  seen  in  the  newly- 
awakened  life  in  the  parish,  in  the  constant  accessions  of 
numbers  to  the  Holy  Communion  and  other  services,  in  the 
attendance  of  the  Bishop  and  other  clergy  from  different 
parts  of  the  diocese,  in  the  reclamation  of  fallen  communi- 
cants, and  in  the  acceptance  by  sinners  of  the  way  of  salva- 
tion. 


280  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


The  thanks  of  his  brethren  are  certainly  due  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Haskins  for  starting  out  alone,  and.  as  it  were,  single- 
handed,  in  this  important  work,  beginning  in  faith  that 
God  would  supply  all  the  requisite  means,  and  would 
crown  the  labor  of  love  with  His  blessing.  Let  us  all  be 
willing  thus  to  move,  and  be  thoroughly  in  earnest,  and  no 
doubt  the  might  of  the  invincible  Godhead  will  be  given 
us,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  be  largely  outpoured  on  our 
parishes,  while  heaven  and  earth  will  rejoice  together  over 
many  a  sinner  saved  from  eternal  destruction.  M. 

THE    MISSION    AT    GREENPOINT.* 

The  Eight  Days'  Mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Ascension 
was  one  of  great  interest.  At  several  of  the  fifty  services 
held  a  goodly  number  of  clergymen  from  New  York  and 
Brooklyn  were  present,  some  in  the  chancel  and  others  in 
the  congregation.  During  the  mission  the  Evangelist,  the 
Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  preached  ten  times,  and  was  efficiently 
aided  at  all  the  services  by  the  indefatigable  Rector,  the 
Rev.  T.  \V.  Haskins,  who  gave  most  of  the  "  instructions" 
at  the  4  o'clock  services  and  at  the  services  following  the 
evening  mission  sermon.  The  Bishop  of  the  diocese  was 
present  as  often  as  his  other  engagements  permitted,  and 
his  "  Pastoral"  and  presence,  earnest  wrords  of  encourage- 
ment and  exhortation,  added  greatly  to  the  influence  of  the 
mission.  His  powerful  address  showed  that  he  has  mas- 
tered the  subject  of  "  Parochial  Missions,"  realizes  their 
vast  importance,  and  believes  that  the  concentration  of 
Church  power  hereby  manifested  Will  be  productive  of 
special  good  to  parishes,  as  well  as  exert  an  interest  for 
the  Church  in  those  who  have  long  remained  without  her 
pale. 

*  A  report  in  the  Church  Journal  and  Messenger. 


MISSION  IN  THE  CIHRCII  01-    THE  ASCENSION.     281 


The  progress  of  the  mission  was  published  daily  in  the 
Brooklyn  Post,  and  showed  that  the  proceedings  were 
characterized  by  profound  interest  throughout,  and  the 
attendance  large  beyond  anticipation.  The  services  were 
marked  by  a  profound  quiet  and  religious  fervor.  There 
was  a  communion  of  the  individual  soul  with  God,  but  no 
excitement.  The  sermons  by  the  Evangelist,  and  the  "  in- 
structions ' '  by  the  Rector,  were  listened  to  with  deep  atten- 
tion. The  Post  says  :  "  The  Evangelist's  sermons  are  free 
from  all  sensational  appeals,  noise  and  bluster.  The  only 
sword  is  '  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  Word  of 
God.'  The  effect  upon  the  hearer  is  not  one  of  physical 
excitement,  but  of  conviction  that  what  the  preacher  says 
is  true.  " 

The  mission,  commenced  wxith  earnest  prayer  and  humble 
dependence  on  Almighty  God,  closed  with  heartfelt  thanks- 
giving. For  God's  manifested  presence  a  special  thanksgiv- 
ing service,  with  Holy  Communion,  was  held  on  Monday, 
at  10.30  a.m.  Deeply  impressive  were  the  touching  words 
of  farewell  spoken  by  the  Rector  of  the  parish  to  the  Evange- 
list. The  mission  has  been  as  a  gentle  rain  upon  seed 
sown  in  the  spring-time.  The  rain  sinks  into  the  earth, 
but  the  seeds  take  root  downward  and  bear  fruit  upward. 
It  remains  for  the  people  of  the  parish  to  make  it  a  per- 
petual mission.  Why  should  not  Christians,  if  they  value 
their  own  privileges,  spend  their  energies  in  extending 
them   to  others  ? 

The  Rector  announced  special  services  for  the  class  for 
Confirmation,  and  that  the  Bishop  would  administer  the 
holy  rite  on  Sunday  evening,  29th  instant. 

FROM  THE  CHURCH  JOURNAL. 

"  Please  allow  me,  through  your  columns,  to  thank  those 
of  the   clergy    and    laity   who,  during   the   progress  of   the 


282  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  have  aided  and  en- 
couraged the  work  by  cheering  words  and  helpful  aid.  I 
trust  all  such  aid  is,  as  I  know  the  mission  has  been,  not 
in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Seed  sown  has  been  watered  ;  new 
agencies  originated  ;  sluggish  life  aroused  ;  faint  hearts 
encouraged  ;  the  fallen  raised  ;  the  steadfast  strengthened. 
The  world  may  deride  and  the  devils  jeer,  but  we  believe 
the  angels  rejoice,  as  do  many  struggling  saints  here. 

"  On  Sunday  evening,  November  29th,  Bishop  Littlejohn 
confirmed  thirty-two  persons,  and  set  apart  one  of  the 
number  as  a  lay  reader  for  work  in  the  parish. 

"It  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  such  agencies  as  *  missions  ' 
are  needed  in  all  places,  and  under  all  circumstances  ;  the 
prerequisites  in  needs,  conditions,  field,  agencies,  must 
exist  ;  then,  rightly  directed  and  subsequently  nurtured, 
they  become,  I  am  convinced,  under  the  disciplinary  guards 
ana  power  of  the  Church,  powerful  instruments  in  further- 
ing the  common  cause. 

"  I  have  made  daily  notes  of  the  work,  which  I  may  at 
some  time  fill  out  for  the  use  of  any  who  may  desire  to 
enter  upon  a  similar  effort. 

"  Faithfully  yours, 

V1  Thomas  W.  Raskins." 

RESULTS    OF    THE    MISSION    AT    GREENPOINT. 

The  Church  of  the  Ascension,  Greenpoint,  located  in 
one  of  the  wards  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  contains  about 
30,000  inhabitants,  and  the  Church  of  the  Ascension  is 
the  only  Episcopal  church  in  the  ward.  The  church  edi- 
fice was  erected  in  the  years  1866-67.  It  has  a  chapel  ad- 
joining. Few  churches  anywhere  make  a  more  favorable 
impression  upon  the  mind  as  one  enters  the  church  than  this. 

The  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Haskins, 
became  Rector  about  one  year  ago.     He  found  dissension 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  ASCENSION.     283 


and  trouble  in  the  parish.  The  revenue  from  pew-rents 
did  not  meet  the  necessities  of  the  church.  To  make  up 
the  deficiencies,  fairs,  entertainments,  and  other  worldly 
expedients  were  resorted  to.  The  Rector  "  changed  all 
this,"  and  relied  upon  the  offertory  alone  to  meet  defi- 
ciencies, with  satisfactory  results  ;  yet  there  seemed  to  be 
a  want  of  activity  and  spiritual  life  in  the  parish.  To 
remedy  this  evil  he  determined  to  hold  an  Eight-Day  Mis- 
sion. For  this  purpose  he  engaged  the  Rev.  James  W. 
Bonham,  the  Evangelist,  to  conduct  it  on  the  English  plan. 
Mr.  Bonham  came  and  commenced  the  work  on  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

About  half  an  hour  before  the  services  commenced, 
every  week-night,  the  Rector,  several  of  the  clergy  and 
laity  accompanying  him,  went  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  from  the  church,  in  front  of  a  store  (with  the  permis- 
sion of  the  occupants),  and  sang  a  hymn.  Immediately 
a  large  crowd  assembled.  After  singing  the  hymn  the 
Rector,  or  some  of  the  others  (usually  the  Rector),  ad- 
dressed a  few  earnest  words  to  the  people  assembled 
relative  to  their  souls'  salvation,  and  concluded  by  invit- 
ing them  to  attend  the  services  in  Ascension  Church,  Kent 
Street.  Then  some  tracts  and  the  order  of  services  were 
distributed,  and  apparently  received  gladly.  The  people 
were  very  attentive  and  respectful,  many  of  whom  came 
to  the  church. 

The  sermons  were  churchly,  while  at  the  same  time  the 
people  were  earnestly  called  to  repentance.  After  each 
sermon  the  Rector  made  a  few  pertinent  and  effective  re- 
marks. 

Let  it  here  be  added,  nothing  was  done  for  mere  effect. 
There  was  no  undue  excitement  likely  to  produce  reaction. 
-Everything  was  done  quietly  and  in  an  orderly  manner. 

The  effect  of  these  night  services  was  evidently  salutary, 


284  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


not  only  to  the  people  assembled,  but  to  the  entire  parish. 
Several  of  the  laymen  disapproved  of  the  movement  at 
first,  but  afterward  announced  themselves  thorough  con- 
verts. The  night  congregations  in  church  from  day  to  day 
were  increasingly  large,  except,  perhaps,  on  Saturday  night. 

The  question  will  be  asked,  "  What  have  been  the 
results  ?"     They  are,  thus  far,  as  follows  : 

i.  Renewed  church  life,  and  higher  spiritual  tone  in  the 
parish. 

2.  The  organization  of  one  more  Sunday-school  in  the 
parish  certainly  (I  believe  two),  with  fair  prospects  of 
success. 

3.  A  chapel  in  the  distant  part  of  the  parish,  sustained  by 
one  of  the  vestrymen,  and  under  the  immediate  charge  of 
a  lay  reader. 

4.  One  lady  of  the  parish  offers  her  residence  to  be  con- 
verted into  a  "  Home  for  Aged  Females." 

5.  Several  persons  were  induced  to  renew  the  vows  that 
they  themselves  had  taken,  or  their  sponsors  had  taken  for 
them,  in  Baptism,  by  the  quickening  influence  of  this 
mission. 

6.  There  is  hereafter  to  be  a  weekly  celebration  of  the 
Holy  Eucharist,  and  the  Litany  is  to  be  said  at  noon  daily 
throughout  the  year. 

On  Sunday  evening,  November  29th,  the  Bishop  of  the 
diocese  made  a  special  visitation  to  the  parish,  preached, 
and  confirmed  thirty-two  persons.  He  then  licensed  Mr. 
Ball,  a  member  of  the  parish,  as  lay  reader,  to  assist  the 
Rector  in  this  parish. 

The  church  was  crowded.  Benches  were  brought  in,  and 
many  persons  were  obliged  to  stand.  Although  the  ser- 
vices commenced  at  7.30  p.m.  and  did  not  close  until  after 
10,  yet  not  a  person  left.  By  this  you  may  judge  of  the 
deep  interest  taken  by  the  people  in  the  services. 


MISSION  IX   THE  CJJLIkCII  OF  THE  ASCENSION.      285 


Bishop  Littlejohn  was  present  on  at  least  two  other  oc- 
casions, and  made  an  address  at  each.  He  expressed  him- 
self, both  publicly  and  in  private,  as  highly  delighted  at 
the  result  thus  far  of  the  mission.  H.  C.  S. 

THE    BISHOP    ONE    (H-    THE    PIONEER    EVANGELISTS. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  A.  X.  Littlejohn,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Bishop  uf 
Long  Island,  years  before  the  term  "  missicn' '  was  adopted, 
like  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  England,  the  eloquent 
father  of  his  eloquent  son,  missioner  Aitken,  held  services 
which  were  analogous  to  a  Parochial  Mission,  but  called 
by  a  name  without  ' '  the  fragrance  of  St.  Peter' s  in  Rome. ' ' 
His  interest  in  revival  work  runs  parallel  with  his  fervent 
and  efficient  ministry.  In  the  spring  of  1857,  when  Rector 
of  St.  Paul's  Church,  N.  H.,  and  the  term  mission  was 
not  used  in  the  Church  of  England,  nor  in  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  America,  he  conducted  a  series  of  parish  re- 
vival services  which  lasted  over  three  weeks.  Public  ser- 
vices were  held  twice  daily,  and  an  earnest  Gospel  ser- 
mon was  preached  every  day.  The  services  were  com- 
menced in  the  lecture-room,  but  the  growing  interest  ren- 
dered it  necessary  to  occupy  the  church,  which  had  seats 
for  nearly  twelve  hundred  persons  ;  yet  night  after  night 
it  was  crowded.  The  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  in  New  Haven 
was  called  "a  Methodist  in  disguise,"  who  was  "out  of 
place."  Yet,  as  a  result  of  the  special  services,  (a)  one 
hundred  and  eighty  persons  were  confirmed  ;  (If)  eighty  souls 
who  had  wandered  off  or  grown  indifferent  were  recovered  ; 
(r)  about  two  hundred  persons  were  added  to  the  communion 
list  of  the  parish  ;  (d)  among  them  were  several  students  of 
Yale  College  ;  (e)  three  of  them  subsequently  entered  the 
ministry  of  our  Church.  Reports  of  this  new  departure  from 
our  Church's  quiet  ways  excited  much  comment  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  also  in  the  surrounding  region. 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Bishop  Littlejohn's  interest  in  revival  services,  under 
the  steadying  influence  of  our  canons  and  rubrics,  was 
manifested  by  his  fervid  Pastoral  urging  the  people  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  privileges  of  the  mission  in  the  Church 
of  the  Ascension,  Greenpoint,  and  adopted  by  the  Bishop 
of  Alabama  as  a  prelude  of  the  mission  in  Mobile. 

At  a  later  period  similar  evangelistic  services  were  held 
in  Philadelphia,  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Grace  Church,  the 
Church  of  the  Epiphany,  and  other  Episcopal  churches,  and 
good  results  were  permanent.  Through  God's  blessing 
many  were  confirmed,  and  joyfully  sang  : 

"  Lord,  with  glowing  heart  I'd  praise  Thee 
For  the  bliss  Thy  love  bestows  ; 
For  the  pardoning  grace  that  saves  me, 
And  the  peace  that  from  it  flows. 

"  Praise,  my  soul,  the  God  that  sought  thee, 
Wretched  wanderer,  far  astray, 
Found  thee  lost,  and  kindly  brought  thee 
From  the  paths  of  death  away. 

"  Let  Thy  grace,  my  soul's  chief  treasure, 
Love's  pure  flame  within  me  raise  ; 
And,  since  words  can  never  measure, 
Let  my  life  show  forth  Thy  praise." 


THE  //( >  I  S/:  i )/•'  LAY  E I  ',/  XGEL ISTS.  287 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE     HOUSE    OF    LAY    EVANGELISTS. 

Its  Specific  Design — Open- Air  Services — Report  of  tJie  Head  of 
the  House — Summary  of  Six  Months'  Work — Mission  in  the 
Gospel  Tent,  New  York. 

The  Rector  and  trustees  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy- 
Trinity,  New  York,  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to  train 
"  men  for  the  masses,"   and  were  moved  to  do  so  because  : 

(a)  Our  established  theological  seminaries  cannot  supply 
them — vacant  churches,  Western  mission  stations,  colleges, 
and  schools  exhaust  every  graduating  class.  An  insignifi- 
cant few  accept  each  year  the  foreign  field.  The  thou- 
sands in  our  home  communities  are  absolutely  unpro- 
vided for.  Even  could  these  seminaries  provide  enough 
men  they  would  not  be  of  the  right  sort.  It  does  not  in 
the  least  reflect  upon  the  course  of  study  or  discipline  in 
these  noble  institutions  to  make  this  statement.  They  do 
their  work  admirably.  Never  was  the  ministerial  standard 
higher  in  the  Church  of  America  than  it  is  to-day.  But 
the  students  in  our  seminaries  are  all  looking  forward  to 
the  established  pastoral  work. 

(p)  The  dream  of  each  has  a  quiet  country  church  and  par- 
sonage as  its  central  object.  The  training  of  all  has  refer- 
ence to  efficiency  in  this  defined  sphere.  The  tendency  of 
seminary  life  is  to  educate  the  tastes  and  habits  of  the 
young  man  beyond  the  compensation  which  city  mission- 
aries can  expect.  They  often  come— we  say  it  with  shame 
— to  regard  mission  work   as   inferior   in   opportunity   and 


288  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


position.  If  they  should  accept  .this  field  of  ministry  their 
motive  would  be  compassion  rather  than  honest  Christian 
brotherhood. 

(c)  The  multitudes  un evangelized  will  never  be  reached 
effectively  so  long  as  the  Church  clings  to  this  exclusive 
work  of  training.  The  community  will  grow  faster  in 
godlessness.  It  may  seem  as  though  the  Gospel  was  really 
having  free  course  ;  but  what  are  a  few  crowded  churches 
to  the  vast  population  of  our  cities  !  Until  Christians  are 
awake  to  the  actual  facts  there  can  be  little  improvement 
in  the  habits  of  the  lower  classes. 

(d)  In  1870  an  act  of  incorporation  was  secured,  and 
the  specific  object  of  the  House  is  contained  in  its  charter 
— viz.  :  "  The  reception,  boarding,  education,  and  em- 
ployment of  suitable  persons  as  missionaries  of  the  Gos- 
pel." In  1872  the  third  section  of  its  charter  was  amended, 
giving  the  corporation  the  privilege  of  owning  property 
not  exceeding  8500,000. 

(e)  The  primary  object  of  the  Huuse  is  to  furnish  the 
Church  with  a  body  of  skilled  lay  and  clerical  missionaries 
to  the  masses.  In  the  department  of  instruction,  while 
those  who  may  desire  to  read  the  Scriptures  in  the  orig- 
inal will  be  instructed  in  Greek  and  Hebrew,  the  Eng- 
lish Bible  will  still  be  the  chief  text-book.  In  view  of  the 
gross  materialism  and  positive  indifferentism  of  many  of 
the  neglected,  practical  theology  takes  the  place  of  polem- 
ical or  dogmatical. 

(/)  The  members"  of  the  House,  in  connection  with  their 
daily  studies,  will  have  practical  experimental  training  in 
actual  mission  work,  conducting  mission  services,  Sunday- 
schools,  and  will  also  visit  the  neglected  at  their  homes  ; 
for  in  the  city  of  New  York  about  five  hundred  thousand 
mechanics  live  in  tenement-houses,  many  of  whom  attend 
no  place  of  worship. 


7  7//-:   Hi  >  l  rS£  OF  LAY  &  I '.  /  NCK/./S  7  S.  889 

As  the  head  of  the  House  of  the  Evangelists,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Leacock,  had  resigned,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham  was  urged 
to  accept  the  position  for  a  season,  and  he  did  so,  but 
was  unable  to  attend  to  his  duties  and  at  the  same  time 
hold  missions  at  a  distance. 

REPORT    OF    THE    HEAD    OF    THE    HOUSE. 

To  the  Trustees  of  the  House  of  the  Evangelists  : 

The  head  of  the  House  respectfully  reports  that  the 
domestic  management  of  the  House  has  been  in  accordance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  trustees.  The  printed  regulations 
have  been  carried  out,  and  the  House  is  in  order  and 
harmony. 

The  course  of  study  has  embraced  instruction  in  Biblical 
interpretation,  systematic  theology,  sacred  rhetoric,  and  elocji- 
tion.  The  principal  text-book  has  been  the  Bible,  and  as  a 
basis  for  correct  exegesis,  the  students  have  committed  to 
memory  assigned  Psalms,  prophecies,  parables,  portions 
of  the  Harmony  of  the  Gospels,  and  the  proof  texts  of 
doctrines.  They  have  also  written  paraphrases  and  exposi- 
tions of  the  Scriptures  interpreted,  and  also  numerous 
essays  on  topics  appropriate  to  their  special  work.  In 
addition  to  the  regular  studies  the  training  has  been  prac- 
tical. 

That  the  members  of  the  House  may  be  efficient  in  future 
years,  they  have  been  daily  engaged  in  actual  work,  and 
have  labored  with  commendable  zeal.  During  part  of  the 
year  1875  service  was  rendered  at  Camp  Chapel,  in  Eliza- 
beth Street  ;  at  the  Chapel  of  the  Alliance,  in  Sixty-eighth 
Street  ;  at  the  Colored  Mission,  Twenty-sixth  Street  ;  at 
the  Men  s  Lodging  House,  in  Spring  Street  ;  and  occasional 
services  in  other  places.  In  accordance  with  the  desire  of 
the    trustees,   printed    in    the   last   annual   report,    several 


290  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


months  ago   the   force  of  the  House  was   concentrated  on 
the  Stanton  Street  mission. 

The  centre  of  this  mission  is  the  memorable  Church  of 
the  Epiphany,  within  whose  walls  the  Rev.  Lot  Jones, 
D.D.,  labored  long  and  faithfully,  until  he  suddenly  heard 

the  voice  : 

"  Spirit  !  leave  thy  house  of  clay  ; 

Lingering  dust  !  resign  thy  breath  ; 
Spirit  !  cast  thy  chains  away  ; 

Dust  !  be  thou  dissolved  in  death  ! 
Thus  the  mighty  Saviour  speaks 

When  the  faithful  Christian  dies  ; 
Thus  the  bonds  of  life  He  breaks, 
And  the  ransomed  captive  flies." 

That  the  House  of  the  Evangelists  might  have  a  more 
extensive  field  of  labor,  Stewart  Brown,  Esq.,  the  liberal 
donor  of  the  Church  of  the  Reformation  in  Fiftieth  Street, 
consented  that  this  property  be  exchanged  for  the  Church 
of  the  Epiphany,  in  Stanton  Street.  But  as  there  was  also 
an  exchange  of  names,  the  old  Epiphany  is  now  called 
the  "  Church  of  the  Reformation."  The  following  sketch 
of  a  week's  ordinary  work  will  give  a  specimen  of  what  is 
done  weekly  :  On  Sunday  morning,  at  8  o'clock,  the  students 
attend  the  prayer-meeting  for  Christian  workers,  to  implore 
God's  blessing  on  the  labors  of  the  day.  At  9  a.m.  they 
teach  in  the  Sunday-school,  which  is  superintended  by 
B.  C.  Wetmore,  Esq.,  and  the  average  attendance,  500.  At 
10.30  a.m.  the  students  attend  the  regular  service  in  the 
church,  and  in  turn  read  the  lessons.  At  2.30  p.m.  they 
attend  the  children's  church,  which  numbers  nearly  700, 
and  co-operate  with  the  superintendent.  At  3.30  p.m.  they 
attend  the  Teachers'  Bible  Class,  led  by  the  superintendent, 
and  carefully  study  the  lesson  for  the  coming  Sunday.  At 
7.30  p.m.  they  attend  service  in  the  church,  and  after  full 
evening  prayers  they  make  brief  addresses. 


OPEN-AIR  SERVICES.  291 


On  Monday  evening  a  member  of  the  House  conducts  a 
boys'  prayer-meeting  in  the  basement  of  the  church.  On 
the  same  evening  others  attend  the  prayer-meeting  for  men 
at  29  Stanton  Street.  On  Tuesday  evening,  at  the  same 
place,  a  member  of  the  House  conducts  a  topical  Bible 
class.  On  Wednesday  evening,  at  8  o'clock,  the,  students 
attend  the  men's  prayer-meeting,  which  is  held  at  the  same 
place.  On  Thursday  evening  they  are  present  at  the  Board 
of  Workers,  who  report  labors  performed,  and  receive 
friendly  suggestions  how  to  increase  their  efficiency.  Every 
Friday  evening  they  attend  the  general  prayer-meeting 
held  in  the  church.  On  Saturday  evening  Mr.  McKenzie, 
who  has  charge  of  the  music  of  the  church,  conducts  the 
rehearsal.  On  Sunday  afternoons,  during  the  summer, 
the  members  of  the  House  hold  open-air  services. 

The  following,  from  the  Church  Journal,  will  give  an 
idea  of  their  nature  : 

The  street  services  alluded  to  in  the  Journal  two  weeks 
ago  are  increasing  in  numbers  and  in  interest.  On  Sun- 
day afternoon,  August  8th,  services  were  inaugurated  at 
several  new  centres.  The  mode  of  procedure  was  as  fol- 
lows :  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham  and  the  students  of  the 
House  of  the  Evangelists  met  at  an  appointed  place  at 
4  o'clock  p.m.  They  then  proceeded  to  the  centre  of 
the  intersection  of  Second  and  Houston  streets  in  Avenue 
B.  The  singing  soon  attracted  an  audience,  and  after  the 
reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  prayer,  and  the  singing  of 
another  hymn,  and  a  short  address  by  Mr.  Bonham,  he  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Armstrong,  one  of  the  lay  evangelists,  to  con- 
duct the  service  at  this  point,  and  deliver  an  address.  Mr. 
Bonham  and  the  other  workers  then  went  to  the  corner  of 
Sheriff  and  Stanton  streets,  and  secured  an  audience  as  at 
the  place  last  mentioned,  and  left  the  Rev.  Mr.  Duganne 
to  deliver  the  address  and   close  the   service.     As  soon  as 


292  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED.. 

he  had  commenced  the  other  workers  proceeded  to  the 
corner  of  Willett  and  Stanton  streets,  pursued  a  similar 
course  to  secure  an  audience,  and  left  Mr.  McKensie,  a  lay- 
evangelist,  to  address  them.  The  other  speakers  at  once 
proceeded  to  the  corner  of  Ridge  and  Stanton  streets,  and 
after  an  audience  had  been  secured,  as  at  the  other  places, 
two  addresses  were  delivered.  The  next  place  visited  was 
Ridge  Street,  between  Stanton  and  Houston  streets,  where 
addresses  were  delivered  by  Messrs.  Bonham,  Munroe,  and 
McKersie. 

As  the  services  are  held  under  the  sanction  of  the  Mayor 
of  the  city,  the  speakers  are  entitled  to  protection,  and  the 
Mayor  has  written  a  mandate  to  this  effect  to  the  chief  of 
the  police.  But  on  Sunday  no  police  were  applied  for, 
and  none  were  needed.  The  assemblies  at  the  different 
places  described  were  orderly  and  attentive.  From  some 
of  the  centres  many  who  are  unable  to  pay  pew  rent  heard 
the  message  of  God's  love,  and  the  poor  had  the  Gospel 
preached  unto  them  through  obedience  to  the  mandate, 
11  Go  into  the  streets."  In  addition  to  those  assembled 
around  the  speakers,  many  listened  from  their  tenement- 
houses  seven  or  eight  stories  in  height.  At  the  service 
last  mentioned,  the  numerous  heads  at  their  windows  re- 
sembled the  people  in  galleries,  towering  tier  above  tier. 
Many  seemed  deeply  interested,  and  at  the  close  of  some 
of  the  services  children  stretched  forth  their  little  hands  to 
shake   hands  with  the  speakers. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  services  described  in  con- 
nection with  the  Stanton  Street  Mission,  two  others  were 
held  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Wetmore — one  in  the  square 
at  Suffolk  and  Houston  streets,  the  other  at  the  corner  cf 
Houston  Street  and  Second  Avenue.  Each  was  largely 
attended,  and  several  addresses  were  delivered. 


OPEN-AIR  SERV1  293 


SERVICES    AT    NEW    CENTRES. 

On  Sunday,  August  29th,  th^  head  of  the  House  of  the 
Evangelists  and  the  students  inaugurated  street  services  at 
the  corner  of  Ridge  and  Stanton  streets,  Grand  and  Willett 
streets,  junction  of  Grand  Street  and  East  Broadway,  cor- 
ner of  Delancey  and  Mangin  streets,  the  square  at  the 
foot  of  Delancey  Street,  Mangin  Street  between  Delancey 
and  Rivington  streets,  Rivington  Street  between  Mangin 
and  Lewis  streets,  Lewis  Street  between  Stanton  and  Hous- 
ton streets.  Another  service  was  held  in  the  square  near 
Second  Street  and  Avenue  D.  Services  were  also  held  at 
the  foot  of  Second  Avenue  and  Houston  Street,  and  in  the 
square  at  Suffolk  and  Houston  streets,  by  Mr.  Wetmore, 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-schools  of  the  Stanton  Street 
Mission. 

Through  the  out-door  services,  many  who  by  the  Church 
are  practically  forsaken  heard  that  "  God  is  love."  Some 
whom  exorbitant  pew  rents  have  deprived  of  the  "  means 
of  grace,"  and  left  destitute  of  "  the  hope  of  glory,"  heard 
that  Christ  died  for  them.  Those  whose  attire  would  make 
them  unwelcome  in  some  churches  learned  that  Christ 
loved  and  mingled  with  the  poor,  and  designed  that  to  the 
poor  His  Gospel  should  be  preached.  Many  who  are 
struggling  with  poverty  and  pining  in  want  learned  that 
God's  mercies  are  free  to  all.  At  each  centre  the  Lord's 
Prayer  was  recited  in  unison,  and  many  heard  the  ascend- 
ing sound,  "  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven."  And  even 
should  they  die  before  they  can  be  enrolled  on  parish 
registers,  the  Lord  will  not  condemn  those  who  told  them 
that  "  God  so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave  His  only 
begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  might  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life." 


294  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

SUNDAY    DESECRATION. 

Should  a  stranger  visit  the  centres  of  the  out-door  ser- 
vices, the  sight  would  astonish  his  eyes  and  move  his  heart. 
The  occupants  of  the  successive  blocks  of  tenement-houses 
make  the  sidewalks  almost  impassable.  Many  stores  are 
open  on  Sundays,  and  much  business  is  transacted.  The 
numerous  beer  saloons  are  crowded,  and  Sunday  is  their 
owners'  market  day.  Hundreds  of  thousands  are  remote 
from  "  attractive  churches,"  and  never  hear  "  acceptabfe 
preachers  ;"  and  many  have  cause  to  say,  "  No  man  careth 
for  our  souls  !"  And  should  some  of  our  clergy,  who  are 
suffering  from  hypochondria  by  reason  of  unrented  and  un- 
occupied pews,  visit  the  street-service  centres,  and  see  the 
multitudes  listening  on  the  sidewalks  and  in  the  roads, 
and  from  the  numerous  windows  of  the  tenement-houses, 
and  some  from  their  lofty  summits,  and  just  sound  in  their 
ears  a  note  of  warning,  this  would  "  help  them,"  and 
benefit  their  hearers.  All  around  the  unsaved  are  perish- 
ing. Who  will  resolve  to  use  the  means  to  save  them  ? 
Soon  we  shall  be  called  to  render  an  account,  and  that  we 
may  not  be  condemned  for  having  "  left  undone  those 
things  which  we  ought  to  have  done,"  what  our  hands  find 
to  do  for  God  let  us  do  with  all  our  might. 

On  Sunday,  October  3d,  services  were  held  in  several 
new  places.  Though  in  the  morning  the  sun  was  hid,  and 
the  rain  descended,  and  the  prospect  for  out-door  services 
was  gloomy,  at  noon  the  clouds  dispersed,  the  sun  shone 
forth,  and  the  sky  was  clear  and  bright. 

Between  noon  and  dark  Messrs.  Bonham,  Duganne, 
Munroe,  Gillespie,  McKensie,  and  Armstrong,  of  the  House 
of  the  Evangelists,  and  Mr.  Wetmore,  the  devoted  laborer 
in  the  Stanton  Street  Mission,  held  in  all  thirteen  open-air 
services.  Glad  tidings  to  the  perishing  were  sounded  at 
the  following  centres  :  Willett  and  Stanton  streets,  Hous- 


OPEN- AIR  SERVICES. 

ton  Street  and  Avenue  D,  Ridge  Street  between  Houston 
and  Stanton  streets,  Sheriff  Street  between  Stanton  and 
Houston  streets,  Orchard  Street,  and  in  Ludlow  Street 
between  the  streets  last  named,  Grand  Street  near  Sheriff 
Street,  Pitt  Street  between  Delancey  and  Broome  streets, 
Rivington  and  Sheriff  streets,  Ludlow  Street  between 
Stanton  and  Rivington  streets,  in  the  square  at  Suffolk 
and  Houston  streets,  and  in  Houston  Street  at  the  foot 
of  Second  Avenue. 

The  desire  for  tracts  was  so  great  that  to  avoid  the  incon- 
venience of  surrounding  pressure,  leaving  no  room  to  use 
the  elbows,  the  head  of  the  House  gave  packages  of  tracts 
to  several  of  the  students,  and  sent  one  in  one  direction, 
and  another  in  another,  so  that  the  crowd  divided  and  fol- 
lowed them  to  obtain  copies.  The  numerous  outstretched 
hands,  and  the  commingling  of  the  various  voices,  crying, 
"  Give  me  one,"  and  the  earnest  and  anxious  faces  pre- 
sented an  interesting  sight  and  study.  One  little  girl,  how- 
ever, certainly  mistook  our  ecclesiastical  relation,  for  she 
implored  a  tract,  saying,  "  Do  give  me  one,  for  /am  a 
Roman  Catholic."  But  the  street- preaching  company  are 
not  Roman  Catholics,  neither  was  the  fragrance  from  the 
gutters  like  the  ascending  fragrance  from  Roman  Catholic 
swinging  censers,  nor  even  like  the  fragrance  of  the  flowers 
in  some  of  the  chancels  of  our  Gothic  churches. 

On  one  occasion,  to  obtain  more  tracts,  a  number  fol- 
lowed the  street  workers  until  the  crowd  numbered  about 
two  thousand.  The  out-door  services  were  continued 
until  tne  weather  made  it  impracticable  to  hold  any  more. 
The  street  services  specially  prepared  the  way  for  a 
thorough  system  of  tenement-house  visitation. 

In  addition  to  the  numerous  services  mentioned,  the 
students  spent  a  portion  of  five  days  every  week  in  patient 
visitation    from  floor  to  floor  of   the  towering    tenement- 


296  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

houses,  and  in  cases  of  necessity  also  visit  on  Saturday  and 
Sunday.  Some  of  the  buildings  contain  from  ten  to  twenty 
families,  numbering  from  seventy  to  a  hundred  persons. 
Their  sphere  of  labor  extends  from  the  Bowery  on  the 
west  of  the  church  centre  to  Ridge  Street  on  the  east,  and 
from  Houston  Street  on  the  north  to  Delancey  Street  on 
the  south,  embracing  a  population  of  not  less  than  ten 
thousand  persons,  of  all  classes,  creeds,  and  nationalities. 
In  this  crowded  region  fearful  moral  evils  reign,  and  the 
spiritual  destitution  is  painful  to  contemplate. 

A    WARNING    REJECTED. 

On  Monday,  September  20th,  a  devoted  member  of  the 
House  of  the  Evangelists,  Mr.  Munroe,  attempted  to  enter 
the  house  of  a  godless  man  to  point  out  to  him  the  way  of 
life,  but  he  refused  to  admit  him.  He  not  only  kept  his 
hand  on  the  door  of  his  house,  but  also  barred  his  heart 
against  the  Saviour.  When  the  messenger  of  mercy  left 
him,  he  invited  him  to  attend  the  house  of  God,  and  gave 
him  a  tract  setting  forth  God's  great  love  and  the  way  of 
salvation.  Voluntarily  and  deliberately  he  refuses  the  only 
Saviour,  and  bars  the  door  of  life  against  himself. 

HIS    HARVEST    OF    MERCY    HAS    PASSED. 

On  the  following  day  he  ascends  a  new  fire-escape  to  test 
its  strength.  Through  some  defect  the  ladder  breaks,  and 
the  poor  man  falls  with  violence,  and  is  fatally  injured. 

"  When  thy  mortal  life  is  fled, 
When  the  death-shades  o'er  thee  spread, 
When  is  finished  thy  career, 
Sinner,  where  wilt  thou  appear?" 

Within  seventeen  hours  after  he  received  his,  last  warning, 
having  given  orders  that  his  funeral  be  without  any  relig- 
ious ceremony,  the  mercy-rejecter  dies. 


OPEN-AIR  SERVICES.  291 


IV  well  [S  riC    WORK    l\    RICHMOND. 

Mr.  J.  Rothwell,  during  leave  of  absence  to  attend  the 
International  Convention  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  at  Richmond,  was  invited  to  tarry  to  conduct 
special  services  for  a  week.  There  were  held  daily  a 
morning  prayer  and  conference  meeting,  an  open-air  meet- 
ing in  the  evening,  and  a  general  meeting  in  the  Associa- 
tion Hall. 

Mr.  Rothwell  reports  that  the  morning  meeting  was 
greatly  blessed  to  believers,  and  was  the  means  of  stirring 
up  Christians  to  greater  activity  in  the  cause  of  the  Master. 
One  old  man  remarked  that  before  those  meetings  com- 
menced he  thought  all  that  was  required  of  him  was  to  at- 
tend church  and  teach  in  Sunday-school.  But  now  he  felt 
that  he  must  go  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  poor.  Quite 
a  number  of  similar  incidents  came  under  our  notice  as  a 
result  of  the  morning  meetings.  The  open-air  services  were 
the  means  of  reaching  many  careless  ones,  and  at  the  close 
of  each  service  as  many  as  thirty  or  forty  held  up  their  hands 
for  prayer.  Many  hardened  sinners  were  affected  to  tears, 
and  almost  every  night,  by  their  own  request,  some  were 
spoken  to  personally  about  their  souls.  The  evening  meet- 
ing was  also  successful  ;  a  prominent  citizen  remarked  of 
one  of  them,  that  he  never  was  at  such  a  meeting  in  his 
life.  Page  after  page  might  be  filled,  giving  an  account 
of  the  encouraging  incidents  in  connection  with  these  ser- 
vices. A  young  minister,  who  could  command  a  large 
salary,  refused  to  accept  it,  and  was  so  impressed  with  the 
open-air  services  that  he  intends  giving  his  life  to  work 
among  the  masses  in  the  Southern  States. 

SPECIAL    WORK    IN    CANADA. 

My  special  work  in  Canada  was  among  1350  volunteers, 
who  were  in  camp  twelve  days.     During  this  period,  assisted 


298  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

by  several  brethren,  seventeen  open-air  services  were  held, 
at  twelve  of  which  I  delivered  addresses.  Two  officers  of 
one  regiment  professed  conversion,  and  many  others  were 
deeply  impressed.  Tracts  were  distributed  to  nearly  all  the 
men,  and  many,  on  the  breaking  up  of  the  camp,  thanked 
us  heartily  for  our  endeavors  to  tell  them  "  the  old,  old 
story  of  Jesus  and  His  love."  At  Manchester,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  Richmond,  Va.,  I  assisted  in  the  formation  of  a 
Sunday-school,  which  started  with  twenty-one  children  and 
eleven  adults.  In  the  city  of  Kingston,  Canada,  I  assisted 
in  several  services,  after  which  I  returned  to  the  Home 
before  leaving  again  for  Richmond,  Va. 

I.    ROTHWELL. 
SUMMARY    OF    WORK    DONE    FROM    JULY    I    TO    DECEMBER    31. 

The  members  of  the  House  of  the  Evangelists  took  part 
in  485  services,  attended  492  prayer-meetings,  delivered  525 
addresses,  made  8326  visits  to  families  in  tenement-houses, 
read  the  Scriptures  to  1230  persons,  prayed  with  1245  in- 
dividuals,  distributed  30,362  pages  of  tracts,  held  3856 
religious  conversations,  and  invited  81 12  persons  to  attend 
church  or  Sunday-school.  Cottage  services  have  been  held 
at  times,  and  occasional  services  at  the  school  for  girls  in 
St.  Mark's  Place.  On  several  evenings  all  the  students 
held  a  special  service  at  the  Church  of  the  Mediator, 
Eleventh  Avenue  and  Fifty-first  Street. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  W.  Bonham. 

The  House  of  the  Evangelists  thus  strove  to  do  the  Gospel 
work  for  the  masses  which  the  times  demand.  The  rector 
of  a  church  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  came  to  New  York  to 
obtain,  if  practicable,  a  lay  member  of  the  House  of  the 
Evangelists  to  labor  among  the  poor  in  his  parish.  He 
said  :  "  I  much  prefer  to    secure    a    layman   who    has  had 


OPEN-AIR  SERVICES.  299 

practical  experience  ;  for  he  would  be  more  useful  to  me 
than  an  inexperienced  deacon,  who  may  not  be  adapted  to 
ork  I  desire  to  have  him  do."  Mr.  Rothwell  was  so 
promising  that  he  was  invited  to  labor  in  Canada.  Mr.  J. 
Bushell  is  an  ordained  foreign  missionary.  Mr.  Munroe 
has  been  ordained.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Colcord  conducted  the 
evangelistic  services  held  Sunday  afternoons  for  several 
years  in  Chickering  Hall,  which  was  usually  filled.  The 
Rev.  James  Duganne  and  the  Rev.  Theodore  A.  Waterman 
are  Presbyters  in  Pennsylvania.  Among  others  who  are 
useful  is  the  highly  esteemed  assistant  minister  of  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  New  York  City,  the  Rev. 
Kennard  Mackenzie. 

During  the  short  period  the  author  was  "  Head  of  the 
House  of  the  Evangelists"  he  preached  in  "  the  Church  of 
the  Reformation"  on  Sundays.  B.  C.  Wetmore,  Esq., 
was  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the  crowded  Sunday- 
school.  The  members  of  the  House  were  among  his 
numerous  teachers  and  workers.  During  the  year  1885 
the  trustees  transferred  the  property  to  a  new  Board,  in- 
cluding wealthy  laymen  of  St.  George's  Church.  Mr. 
Wetmore' s  long-cherished  desire  to  see  a  new  church 
edifice,  with  suitable  rooms  for  evangelistic  purposes,  will 
soon  be  gratified.  The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  on 
the  old  site  was  laid  Monday,  October  19th,  1885,  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.  Among  the  clergy  present 
were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rainsford,  Morgan,  Maguire,  Hy- 
land,  Bonham,  and  Dr.  E.  F.  Miles,  the  minister  in  charge, 
who  conducts  the  service  in  a  church  in  the  vicinity. 
Among  the  prominent  laity  present  were  Messrs.  Wetmore 
and  Cutting.  Addresses  were  made  by  the  Assistant 
Bishop  and  by  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford,  Rector  of  St. 
George's.  A  history  of  the  corporation  was  read  by  Ben- 
jamin C.  Wetmore,  President  of   the    Board    of   Trustees. 


300  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

This  history  was  then  placed  in  the  corner-stone,  together 
with  copies  of  the  Bible,  Prayer-Book,  The  Churchman, 
Parish  Visitor,  the  Church  Almanac,  copies  of  the  New- 
York  dailies,  etc.  The  stone  being  duly  laid,  was  struck 
with  the  mallet  three  times  by  the  Assistant  Bishop  as  he 
repeated  the  words,  "  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

The  Rev.  T.  Hyland  read  part  of  the  service.  A  large 
chorus  led  the  hearty  singing.  The  address  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Rainsford  and  of  the  Assistant  Bishop  were  not  theo- 
retical, but  very  practical.  Attached  to  the  church  will 
be  the  parsonage.  The  basement  of  the  new  building 
will  contain  kitchen,  gymnasium,  lavatories,  etc.  On  the 
ground  floor  will  be  rooms  for  the  Sunday-school,  indus- 
trial school,  etc.,  the  space  being  large  enough  to  accom- 
modate a  thousand  children.  The  church  proper  will  be 
on  the  floor  above,  the  dimensions  being  86x42.  It  is  under- 
stood that  on  this  story  are  also  to  be  reception-rooms. 
The  cost  of  the  building  will  be  $46,000,  all  of  which  has 
been  subscribed.     The  architect  is  Mr.  Charles  C.  Haight. 

At  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  the  standing  space  on 
the  first  floor  was  crowded  ;  also  the  space  in  front  of  the 
church.  The  windows  of  the  towering  tenements  opposite, 
floor  above  floor,  were  filled  with  the  projecting  heads  of 
the  variegated  multitudes,  who  were  anxious  to  hear  the 
hymns  and  the  words  of  the  service  and  the  addresses. 
Some  facts  in  the  foregoing  sketch  of  the  faithful  work  of 
Mr.  Wetmore  and  his  co-laborers  are  in  the  soldered  box 
inside  the  corner-stone.  Therefore  some  persons  may  be 
interested  to  read  them  hereafter. 

The  second  summer  after  Evangelist  Bonham  held  the 
mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity  described  in 
Part  III.,  Chapter  IX.,  on  four  Sunday  evenings  he  preached 
in  the  Gospel  tent,  and  between  the  last  two  Sundays  held 


OPEN-AIR  SERVICES.  901 

special  mission  services.  On  the  four  Sunday  evenings 
the  tent  was  crowded  ;  hundreds  stood  around  its  large  cir- 
cle. The  annex  tent  was  filled,  many  listened  standing  at 
the  tent's  entrance,  and  some  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street.  Each  Sunday  evening  sermon  was  followed  by  an 
earnest  address  by  one  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity 
Lay  Preachers'  Association,  talented  and  prominent  citi- 
zens. They  also  instructed  the  numerous  "  inquirers  ' '  who 
entered  the  annex  tent  when  the  service  in  the  large  tent 
had  closed.  May  the  recent  "  Advent  Mission"  induce 
them  to  arise  and  shine  more  brightly  than  ever  before  ! 


302  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS    INTRODUCED    IN    NEW    ORLEANS,  LA. 

The  Mission  in  Calvary  Church  —  The  Bishop's  Interest  in  the 
Services — A  Suicide  Prevented — Mission  in  Mobile,  Ala. — 
Missions  in  Birmingham — Bishop  Wilmer  s  Foresight — Mis- 
sions   in  Louisville,  Ky. —  The  Evangelist  in  Indiana. 

"  Through  the  zeal  of  the  Rev.  S.  Burford,  Rector  of 
Calvary  Church,  New  Orleans,  parochial  missions  were 
first  inaugurated  in  Louisiana.  The  mission  services  held 
in  his  parish  were  conducted  without  noise  or  excitement. 
Each  week-day  four  services  were  held,  and  six  on  Sun- 
days. During  the  eight  days  of  its  continuance  the  Evan- 
gelist, the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  preached  ten  times,  and 
took  part  in  the  other  services.  The  Rector  of  the  parish 
labored  with  great  earnestness,  and  gave  most  of  the  '  in- 
structions '  at  the  service  following  the  sermon.  Most  of 
the  city  clergy  and  others  were  present  at  several  of  the 
services,  also  representatives  from  the  different  parishes. 
On  several  occasions  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese  was  present.* 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Harris,  now  the  Bishop  of  Michigan,  mani- 
fested great  interest  in  the  progress  of  the  mission.  A 
man  who  had  resolved  to  commit  suicide  was  through  the 
mission  saved. 

"  At  the  last  service,  after  the  sermon  by  the  Evangelist, 
the  Bishop  made  a  very  impressive  address,  expressed  his 
sympathy  with  the  movement,  and  uttered  words  of  en- 
couragement.     Before  the  closing  prayers  and  the  benedic- 

*  He  now  sleeps  in  Jesus. 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.  308 

tion  the  Rector  narrated  how  he  had  been  cheered  by 
the  present  results  of  the  mission.  Those  who  each  morn- 
ing celebrated  the  Holy  Communion  experienced  soul 
refreshment.  Those  who  attended  the  Monday  Litany 
service  felt  increased  devotion.  Of  those  present  at  the 
nightly  mission  service,  some  had  voluntarily  offered  them- 
selves as  candidates  for  confirmation.  May  the  mission 
resemble  bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  that  shall  be  seen 
after  many  days  ! 

"  During  the  Evangelist's  stay  in  New  Orleans  he  also 
officiated  in  Christ  Church,  and  in  Trinity  Church,  and  in 
Mount  Olivet  Church,  Algiers.  Last  Sunday  evening  an 
interesting  service  was  held,  inaugurating  a  new  effort  for 
the  colored  people.  About  500  freedmen  were  present, 
and  paid  deep  attention  to  the  sermon  preached  by  the 
colored  clergyman  who  will  have  charge  of  the  movement, 
and  also  to  the  earnest  address  made  by  the  Rev.  S.  Bur- 
ford,  Rector  Calvary  Church,  whose  heart  is  moved  to 
further  every  good  work."*  The  missioner  had  arranged 
to  conduct  a  mission  in  Christ  Church  ;  but  as  the  Rev. 
C.  Fair,  D.D.,  received  word  that  his  beloved  mother  was 
dying,  and  left  at  once  for  Ireland,  and  the  aged  Rector 
was  very  feeble,  the  proposed  mission  was  not  held. 

THE  MISSION  IN  MOBILE,   ALABAMA, 

was  held  in  Trinity  Church.  The  Rector,  the  Rev.  J-  A. 
Massey,  D.D.,  as  part  of  the  preparation  for  the  mission, 
with  Bishop  Wilmer's  approval,  reprinted  and  circulated 
the  fervent  pastoral  of  the  Bishop  of  Long  Island. f  He 
heartily  co-operated  with  the  missioner,  and  made  his  two 
weeks'  visit  very  pleasant. 

The  Xew  York  Church  Journal  published  a  sketch  of  the 

*  Church  Journal.  \  See  Part  III.,  Chapter  X. 


304  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

mission  :  "  The  Church  Evangelist,  the  Rev.  J.W.  Bonham, 
recently  held  a  mission  in  Trinity  Church,  Mobile,  of 
which  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Massey,  D.D.,  is  Rector.  The  mission 
commenced  Sunday,  January  3d,  and  closed  Wednesday, 
January  13th.  The  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  of  the  diocese  is  in 
full  sympathy  with  the  movement.  The  Sunday  before 
the  mission  began  he  preached  an  appropriate  preparatory 
sermon,  and  vvas  present  at  its  inauguration,  and  cele- 
brated the  Holy  Communion. 

11  During  the  mission  about  forty  services  were  held,  at 
several  of  which  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Beard,  of  the  Bishop's 
Church,  St.  John's,  and  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Lemon,  of  Living- 
ston, participated.  The  Evangelist  preached  seventeen 
sermons,  delivered  one  address  to  the  Sunday-school,  was 
present  at  the  other  services,  and  preached  twice  the  Sun- 
day after  the  mission  had  closed. 

"  Though  the  weather  was  unpropitious,  the  mission  ser- 
vices were  well  attended,  and  on  some  occasions  the  audi- 
ences were  unusually  large.  At  several  of  the  noonday 
services  between  two  and  three  hundred  persons  were  pres- 
ent. The  mission  was  closed  by  a  special  noonday  service 
at  12  o'clock  on  Wednesday,  the  13th  instant.  After  the 
Litany  and  Ante-Communion  service,  the  Evangelist 
preached  on  '  The  Duty  and  Advantages  of  Constant  Labor 
for  the  Lord,'  based  on  1  Cor.  15  :  58.  The  sermon  set 
forth  :  1.  The  work  commanded.  2.  The  mode  of  perform- 
ance. 3.  The  inspiring  motive.  At  the  close  of  the  ser- 
mon the  hymn,  '  Hark!  hark !  my  soul,'  was  sung  : 

1  Onward  we  go,  for  still  we  hear  them  singing, 
Come,  weary  souls,  for  Jesus  bids  you  come  ; 
And  through  the  dark,  its  echoes  sweetly  ringing, 
The  music  of  the  Gospel  leads  us  home.' 

11  A  large  number  remained  to  celebrate  the  Holy  Com- 
munion, and  the  mission  closed. 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.  305 

11  The  Rector  of  Trinity  parish  is  deeply  interested  for 
the  welfare  of  those  who  have  long  neglected  their  duty 
and  despised  their  privileges.  His  heart  yearns  for  the  sal- 
vation of  the  godless  living  within  sound  of  the  church 
bell,  but  who  have  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  its  summons  to 
come  and  hear  the  voice  of  mercy. 

"  Appreciating  the  true  work  of  the  Church,  and  anxious 
to  reach  the  unsaved  within  the  bounds  of  his  parish,  he 
has  urged  his  people  to  '  come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  ;  to 
the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty.'  On  the  evening 
after  the  mission  closed,  a  goodly  number  of  communicants 
pledged  themselves  to  act  as  workers  to  bring  the  godless  within  the 
circle  of  the  means  of  grace.  Neat  cards  have  been  printed 
giving  notice  of  the  Sunday  and  week-day  services,  and 
that  '  strangers  are  always  welcome. ' 

11  On  the  Sunday  following  the  closing  service  of  the  mis- 
sion, the  Rector  gave  notice  that  hereafter  '  on  Sunday 
evenings  all  the  pews  in  the  church  will  be  free  ! '  He  earnestly 
urged  his  people  to  avoid  the  sin  of  selfishness,  and  to  prac- 
tise self-denial  for  the  good  of  others  ;  also  to  refrain  from 
visiting  and  from  receiving  callers  Sundays,  that  they  may 
be  present  themselves  at  the  free  Sunday  evening  services." 

After  the  mission  ended  the  Rector  declined  to  have  the 
high  box  pulpit  returned  to  its  old  place,  and  preached  in 
front  of  the  chancel.  An  eccentric  preacher  said  :  "  The 
survival  of  Christianity  after  having  been  preached  in  old- 
fashioned  high  pulpits  is  a  proof  of  its  divinity  !" 

THE  MISSION  IN  BIRMINGHAM,   ALABAMA. 

At  the  close  of  the  mission  in  Trinity  Church,  Mobile,  the 
Evangelist  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Bishop  of  the 
diocese  to  visit  Birmingham,  a  place  in  which  the  Bishop 
is  deeply  interested,  and  whose  work  proves  that  he  is  an 


306  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


overseer  awake,  and  looking  out  for  Zion  ;  for  while 
keen-eyed  capitalists  saw  the  advantages  of  a  city  near  the 
intersection  of  the  extended  lines  of  the  Alabama  and  Chat- 
tanooga, and  the  Nashville,  Louisville  and  great  Southern 
Railroad,  and  combined  to  purchase  for  its  site  4000  acres 
of  land  in  the  centre  of  a  beautiful  valley,  through  Epis- 
copal foresight  Bishop  Wilmer  saw  that  in  this  fair  region 
of  picturesque  fields  and  hills,  with  springs  and  running 
streams,  our  Zion  might  arise  and  shine. 

Usually  others  are  the  pioneers,  who  in  new  places  form 
Sunday-schools  and  first  gather  congregations  ;  and  "  The 
Church,"  instead  of  obeying  the  mandate  "  Go"  too  often 
waits  for  the  invitation  "  Come.'''  Frequently  a  missionary 
is  sent,  after  a  few  Church  families  have  moved  thither,  to 
give  an  occasional  service  to  a  now  hungering  few,  who  in 
the  city  they  left  attended  "  our  beautiful  service  "  only  on 
Sunday  mornings.  But  through  the  Bishop's  oversight  and 
foresight  the  Church  was  not  allowed  to  follow  the  denomi- 
nations, and  arrive  last,  and  very  late,  and  then  to  minister 
specially  to  '"  a  few  Church  families."  Moreover,  realizing 
the  importance  of  having  "  the  right  man  in  the  right 
place,"  instead  of  sending  a  clergyman  with  exhausted 
powers  to  perform  the  hard  work  essential  to  a  good  paro- 
chial foundation,  and  from  whom  God  requires  no  such 
service,  because  he  has  faithfully  served  his  day  and  gener- 
ation, and  whom  the  Church  should  comfortably  support 
in  consideration  of  his  past  faithfulness — instead  of  send- 
ing a  needy  clerg}^man  to  minister  specially  to  keep  him 
from  starving,  the  Bishop  was  providentially  able  to  send 
to  this  important  field  an  earnest  churchman,  who  had  re- 
cently given  up  a  lucrative  legal  practice  to  become  a 
minister  of  Christ,  the  Rev.  P.  A.  Fitts,  who  held  his  first 
service  soon  after  the  city  was  incorporated. 

That  the  Church  should  be  pioneer  caused  expression  of 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS.  807 

astonishment  from  some  who  considered  this  a  departure 
from  her  usual  mode  of  working.  But  in  less  than  five 
months  after  Mr.  Fitts's  first  service,  a  comfortable  build- 
ing  was  erected,  and  though  there  are  now  six  places  of 
public  worship  in  this  new  city,  our  Church  was  not  last, 
but  the  first. 

Already  the  communicants  of  the  Church  of  the  Advent, 
the  first,  place  of  worship  opened,  number  85,  and  with 
the  parishioners  number  155,  while  the  regular  congre- 
gation is  the  largest  in  the  city.  And  because  our  Church 
is  leading,  instead  of  following,  she  is  highly  respected, 
and  her  influence  is  extending.  The  devoted  Rector 
is  an  earnest  worker,  and  held  in  great  esteem  ;  and  as  a 
few  words  of  encouragement  oil  the  wheels  of  labor,  his 
friends  are  not  afraid  to  speak  them.  Bouquets  of  appre- 
ciation placed  in  a  Rector's  hand  while  he  is  alive  do  more 
good  than  the  large  number  placed  on  his  coffin  when  he 
cannot  breathe  their  fragrance.  The  Rector  is  also  much 
cheered  by  the  energy  of  the  men  of  his  parish,  who, 
instead  of  leaving  the  financial  drudgery  to  be  done  by 
devoted  ladies,  perform  it  themselves. 

For  a  larger  church  edifice,  and  a  rectory,  lots  in  a  fine 
central  location  have  already  been  secured,  and  the  title 
vested  in  the  Bishop  and  his  successors.  Though  the  parish 
may  have  to  struggle  to  erect  the  buildings  adapted  to  the 
growing  wants  of  the  place,  the  author  hopes  that  it  may 
not  be  "  a  struggling  parish"  perpetually,  and  keep  on  the 
outside  those  afraid  of  struggles,  nor,  like  others,  depend 
for  aid  on  the  "  missionary  stipend  "  for  over  forty  years  ! 

The  ten  days'  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Advent 
greatly  cheered  the  Rector  and  the  people.  Those  who 
attended  the  services  held  during  its  continuance  seemed 
deeply  interested,  and  on  some  occasions  several  ministers 
of  the  denominations   were  present.     The    solemnity  and 


308 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


serenity  of  worship  on  the  Lord's  day  characterized  all  the 
services. 

THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION  IN  LOUISVILLE,  KENTUCKY. 

At  the  time  of  the  Evangelist's  arrival  in  Louisville,  the 
largest  halls  were  crowded  by  persons  interested  in  the 
labors  of  two  lay  evangelists,  who  preach  and  sing  the 
Gospel.*  Without  discussing  the  mode  or  the  results,  it  is 
a  fact  worthy  of  consideration  that  when  services  are 
started  for  the  welfare  of  the  masses,  and  are  so  conducted 
that  the  people  are  permitted  to  sing  old  hymns  to  familiar 
tunes,  or  to  join  in  the  chorus  of  a  new  one,  such  services 
are  crowded  when  the  sun  shines  and  when  the  rain  de- 
scends, and  large  numbers  profess  to  have  received  great 
benefit.  At  certain  periods  a  wave  of  revival  sweeps  over 
the  country,  and  those  to  whom  the  Church  has  not  min- 
istered flock  to  the  services.  It  is  affirmed  that  the 
hardest  soil  to  cultivate  is  that  by  a  revival  burnt  all  over. 

In  view  of  this,  should  not  the  Church  put  forth  her 
undeveloped  power,  bring  out  her  unused  implements  of 
spiritual  husbandry,  cultivate  the  soil  herself,  and  make  it 
what  it  should  be  ?  With  her  complete -circle  of  doctrine 
and  Apostolic  polity,  why  allow  such  multitudes  to  be 
allured  by  doctrine  and  polity  fearfully  mutilated  ?  If 
Episcopalians  were  allowed  by  quartettes  to  sing  their  own 
Venite,  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  grand  Te  Deum,  and  our  own 
rich  hymns,  would  they  by  the  hundred  go  night  after 
night  where  they  can  gratify  their  desire  to  lift  up  their 
voice  in  praise  by  joining  in  ';  inferior  psalmody  "}  Often 
in  small  towns  and  villages  the  hopes  of  rectors  vanish, 
by  learning  that  a  number  of  young  people  whom  they  ex- 


*  Messrs.  Whittle  and    Bliss, 
accident,  etc.,  at  Ashtabula. 


Mr.  Bliss  was  afterward  killed   at  the 


PAROCHIAL   MISSIONS. 


pected  would  join  the  confirmation  class  have  been  "  con- 
verted at  a  revival,"  and  feel  it  their  duty  to  join  where 
they  got  a  blessing  !  Now,  when  a  great  revival  is  in  prog- 
ress, is  it  not  desirable  that  special  services  should  be  at 
once  started  in  parishes  to  benefit  our  own  people,  and 
bring  in  the  godless  ?  As  it  is  said  after  a  denominational 
revival  "  the  soil  is  so  very  hard  to  cultivate,"  is  it  not  the 
duty  of  the  Church  to  take  possession  of  the  soil  before  it 
becomes  "  burned  all  over  "  ?  As  every  few  years  a  large 
number  of  young  people  are  "  brought  in  "  under  revivals, 
and  many  "  fall away ,"  should  we  not  labor  to  first  influence 
them,  and  then  place  them  under  proper  Church  nurture  ? 
A  wave  of  revival  is  natv  spreading  from  place  to  place, 
and  if  we  treat  the  matter  with  indifference,  another  gen- 
eration of  souls  will  be  "  burned  all  over  "  and  lost  to  the 
church  ! 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bonham  while  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  was 
"interviewed."  While  willingly  answering  such  questions 
as  tended  to  draw  out  information  in  regard  to  the  nature 
and  mode  of  the  work,  there  was  a  marked  reticence 
when,  asked  to  contribute  to  the  gossiping  appetites  of 
newspaper  readers.  In  answer  to  the  inquiry,  "  Will 
you  please  state  some  facts  about  yourself  ?"  he  replied  : 
"  Ministers  of  the  Cross  should  hide  themselves  behind  the 
Cross.  In  the  New  Testament  is  a  book  of  the  '  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,'  giving  an  account  of  their  labors  and  trials, 
but  personal  descriptions  that  would  merely  gratify  a  mor- 
bid curiosity  are  wisely  withheld.  While  we  now  have 
1  pen  and  ink  sketches  of  popular  preachers,'  we  have  no 
such  sketches  of  popular  Prophets  and  Apostles." 

We  extract  a  few  inquiries  and  answers  : 

"  R. — Are  there  any  manifestations  of  emotion  at 
Church  mission  services  ? 

"  Mr.  B. — The   manifestations   at   Church    missions   are 


310  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

holy  fervor,  but  no  excitement  ;  intense  emotion,  but  under 
control.  The  services  are  characterized  by  perfect  order, 
exceeding  calmness,  strange  stillness  overawing,  and 
peaceful  serenity.  Believing  that  the  Lord  is  in  His  holy 
temple,  we  teach  that  true  worshippers  avoid  all  irrever 
ence,  and  manifest  due  solemnity. 

"  R. — What  have  missions  accomplished  ? 

"  Mr.  B. — Through  missions  many  wandering  sheep  have 
been  reclaimed.  Many  of  the  godless  have  been  converted. 
Faith  has  been  quickened,  and  Christian  love  deepened. 
The  flame  of  clerical  zeal  has  been  diffused,  and  fraternal 
sympathy  deepened.  A  fresh  life  has  been  communicated 
to  the  ministry,  and  a  power  developed  that  seemed 
unknown  before. 

"  R. — Wherein  does  a  Church  mission  differ  from  ordi- 
nary revivals  ? 

"  Mr.  B. — The  specific  object  of  a  Church  mission  is,  not 
to  excite  temporary  emotions,  but  by  successive  impres- 
sions of  Gospel  truth  to  facilitate  the  decision  of  the  will  to 
accept  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour,  and  to  faithfully  serve 
Him.  The  Gospel  is  brought  to  harmoniously  bear  upon 
the  intellect,  heart,  will,  and  conscience  ;  and  when  a  sin- 
ner is  converted  he  is  taught  that  he  has  merely  taken 
the  first  step  in  a  life  of  penitence  and  holiness. 

"  R. — Do  those  benefited  by  mission  services  remain 
steadfast  ? 

"  Mr.B. — The  majority  remain  steadfast,  because  they  are 
taught  that  conversion  is  merely  turning  from  sin  to  holi- 
ness, and  are  placed  under  the  church's  system  of  spiritual 
nurture,  leading  them  step  after  step  up  the  ladder  of  the 
means  of  grace.  After  the  Prodigal's  will  was  moved  to 
say,  '  I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  father,'  he  needed  cleans- 
ing, comely  raiment,  and  nutritious  food.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Wilkinson,  author  of  '  Guide  to  a  Devout  Life,'  has  shown 


PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS.  311 

that  persons  converted  through  mission  services,  after  years 
of  trial,  have  died  in  peaceful  triumph." 

On  Sunday  the  Evangelist  delivered  a  lecture  on  Paro- 
chial Missions.  Grace  Church  was  crowded,  and  extra  seats 
provided.  On  the  following  Tuesday  he  commenced  a 
mission  in  Grace  Church.  The  Rev.  L.  P.  Tschiffely,  the 
Rector,  took  hold  of  the  mission  with  energy,  and  his 
zealous  lay  helper  and  supporter,  J.  V.  Cowling,  Esq.,  con- 
tributed the  principal  part  of  the  expense.  The  large 
posters  which  gave  notice  of  the  services  contained  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  The  mission  is  intended  for  all.  It  is  for  the  unbelieving. 
Come  and  hear  the  blessed  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  It 
is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
believeth,  and  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the 
Word  of  God. 

"  It  is  for  the  believer.  Come  and  hear,  that  you  may  have 
your  faith  confirmed  and  strengthened  ;  that  your  joy  in 
the  Lord  may  be  increased  ;  that  you  may  be  stirred  up  to 
more  entire  consecration  of  heart  and  life  to  Him  who  has 
done  so  much  for  you.  .  .  .  Pray  much  for  the  pres- 
ence and  effectual  working  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost. 
'  The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say,  Come,'  etc. 

"  Louis  P.  Tschiffely,  Rector."* 

The  mission  at  Grace  Church  continued  thirteen  days. 
On  the  evening  after  this  mission  closed  the  author  com- 
menced a  mission  in  Calvary  Church.  Some  who  attended 
all  the  services  at  Grace  Church  were  present  at  the  services 
in  Calvary  Church.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Perkins,  of  St.  Paul's, 
and  other  clergymen  were  present  when  not  detained  by 
Lenten  services  in  their  own  parishes.  The  recently  con- 
secrated  Assistant  Bishop   arrived   during   the   mission    in 


Recently  entered  into  rest. 


312  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Calvary  Church,  was  present  when  not  detained  by  other 
duties,  and  spoke  words  of  encouragement,  and  gave  wise 
counsel.  The  mission  in  this  parish  continued  eight  days. 
The  Evangelist  was  sorry  that  he  could  not  accept  the 
Bishop's  invitation  to  accompany  him  on  a  mission  to  help 
the  struggling  parishes  ;  but  having  preached  equal  to 
two  sermons  daily  for  twenty-one  successive  days,  he 
needed  a  little  rest. 

The  Evangelist  ?iext  visited  Indianapolis,  Ind,,  and  was  in- 
vited by  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Bradley,  Rector  of  Christ  Church, 
and  rectors  of  other  parishes  to  tarry  to  hold  a  mission. 
Sunday  morning  he  preached  in  Christ  Church.  In  the 
evening  he  delivered  a  lecture  in  the  large  cathedral,  which 
was  crowded.  A  severe  snow-storm  during  the  week,  which 
made  the  streets  almost  impassable,  interfered  with  the  at- 
tendance at  the  mission  services,  at  which  Bishop  Talbot 
presided.*  The  good  results  of  the  mission  previously 
conducted  by  the  Rev.  P.  B.  Morgan,  described  in  Part  III., 
Chapter  VI.,  induced  the  Bishop  and  visitors  to  desire 
another. 

*  The  Bishop  is  now  with  the  blessed  in  Paradise. 


/V//-:  MISSION  IN   TRINITY  CHURCH.  818 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE    MISSION  IN  TRINITY    CHURCH,  WASHINGTON,  D.   C. 

Tzvelve  Days'  Missio7i  in  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation — Bible 
Readings  in  Lincoln  Hall— Sermons  in  the  Church  of  the  As- 
cension—  Wesley  and  "  Dear  Sammy" — Financial  Salt. 

While  in  Washington  the  C.  N.  Y.  Evangelist  preached  on 
four  Sundays  at  Trinity  Church,  the  Rev.  T.  G.  Addi- 
son, D.D.,  Rector.  On  the  third  Sunday  we  commenced 
a  mission,  which  closed  the  next  Sunday  evening.  The 
Rector  read  the  liturgical  service.  The  Evangelist 
preached  the  mission  sermons,  and  gave  the  instructions. 
The  large  church  was  not  filled  at  the  week-night  services, 
but  large  congregations  were  present  at  the  services  on 
Sundays.  Soon  afterward  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford  com- 
menced a  mission  ;  as  there  had  been  more  preparation,  the 
congregations  were  larger  and  the  interest  awakened 
greater.  His  fame  as  the  missioner  who  had  held  a  suc- 
cessful mission  in  Baltimore  induced  ;nany  who  were  not 
Episcopalians  to  attend  the  services,  a  number  of  whom 
were  blessed  through  his  labors. 

The  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  Washington, 
the  Rev.  I.  L.  Townsend,  S.T.D.,  succeeded  the  author 
as  the  Rector  of  St.  Paul' s  Church,  Peoria,  III.,  after  he  re- 
signed, and  became  an  Evangelist.  By  special  arrange- 
ment, a  twelve-days'  mission  was  held  in  the  Church  of 
the  Incarnation.     At  the  daily  noonday  services  on  week- 


314  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

days  one  of  the  rectors  in  the  city  delivered  an  address. 
The  mission  sermon  each  evening  was  preached  by  the 
Evangelist,  and  after  a  hymn  he  gave  the  instruction. 
Rectors  in  the  city  took  great  interest  in  the  mission,  and 
rendered  efficient  aid.  The  services  were  well  attended 
and  the  people  interested.  The  Sunday  on  which  the  mis- 
sion closed,  as  the  Evangelist  had  learned  that  the  Wardens 
and  Vestry  and  people  were  satisfied  with  the  manifest  re- 
sults of  the  mission,  he  appealed  to  them  to  contribute 
money  for  a  "  Diaconite  memorial  of  the  mission."  At 
the  close  of  the  service  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  a 
liberal  offertory  was  received,  also  the  names  of  persons 
who  would  subscribe  for  this  fund  a  certain  sum  weekl)*. 
In  about  two  weeks  after  the  mission  closed  Dr.  Townsend 
had  his  Deacon  to  assist  him  ;  and  a  local  mission  was 
committed  to  his  care.  The  Rectors,  Wardens,  and  Vestry 
sent  complimentary  resolutions  to  the  Evangelist,  which, 
to  avoid  blushing,  he  will  not  publish.  After  the  mission 
he  preached  twice  in  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  called 
the  Bishop's  Church  ;  but  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Elliott  is  the 
Rector.     For  one  week  he  gave  a  series  of 

BIBLE  READINGS  IN  LINCOLN  HALL. 

The  general  topic  of  the  Bible  Readings  was  "  The 
Kingdom  of  God."  The  texts  were  chalked  on  a  large 
blackboard,  that  any  who  so  desired  could  write  them 
in  the  margins  of  their  Bible  or  on  paper  for  future  study. 

The  first  reading  defined  the  phrase  "  The  Kingdom  of 
Heaven,"  which  set  before  us  the  Messianic  administra- 
tion of  the  wondrous  scheme  of  mercy,  and  embraces  the 
historical,  actual,   and  prophetical. 

The  phrase  is  used  (a)  respecting  the  Jewish  economy 
(Ezek.  21:27;  Matt.  21  :  43  ;  Acts  t  :  6)  ;  (b)  respecting  the 
Gospel  dispensation  (Matt.  3:2;   12  :  28  ;  Luke  11  :  20)  ;  and 


THE  MISSION  I.\ '  TRIh  rITY  CII I  A'  CI  I.  !  1 1 5 

(e)  in  reference  to  the  Dispensation  of  eternal  fruition  (Dan. 
2  :  35  5  7  :  *3i  M  I  Matt.  6  :  io,  13  ;  Luke  12  :  32  ;  21  :  31  ; 
Rev.   11  :    15). 

The  phrases  Kingdom  of  God  and  Kingdom  of  Heaven 
are  sometimes  used  when  either  the  Messianic  King,  or  His 
subjects,  or  His  laws,  or  the  Kingdom's  now  usurped  ter- 
ritory, or  the  present  or  future  privileges  are  specially 
referred  to. 

The  second  reading  described  the  King,  who  (a)  is  spe- 
cially brought  to  view  in  Matt.  6  :  33  ;  Luke  12  :  31— liter- 
ally seek  Christ  ;  Luke  17  :  21 — marginal  reading  "  among 
you  ;''  and  in  Luke  19  :  12,  15.  (b)  The  subjects  are  called 
"  the  Kingdom  "  in  Matt.  25  :  1,  and  are  specially  alluded 
to  in  Eph.  2  :  22;  5  :  23,  25,  27  ;  Rev.  19  :  6-9.  (e)  The  laws 
are  summed  up  in  Matt.  18  :  3  ;  22  :  37-40  ;  John  3  :  3,  5  ; 
13  :  34  ;  1  John  2  :  3,  5,  10,  15  ;  3  :  24  ;  5  :  1-5.  (d)  The 
territory  is  brought  to  view  in  Dan.  2  :  44  ;  7:18;  Isa. 
65  :  17,  18  ;  and  the  overthrow  of  its  usurpers  in  Ps.  2  :  8, 
9  ;  37  :  9,  35  I  Matt-  r3  :  4i  ;  *  Cor.  6:9;  Rev.  2  :  27  ; 
21  :  27. 

The  third  reading  referred  to  the  keys  of  the  kingdom, 
which  (a)  symbolize  authority  to  administer  government 
(Isa.  22  :  22)  ;  power  to  confine  or  to  release  (Rev.  1  :  18)  ; 
ability  to  place  or  to  remove  obstacles  (Rev.  3  :  7,  8)  ;  the 
disposition  to  impart  or  to  withhold  knowledge  (Luke 
it  :  52)  ;  authority  to  preach  the  Gospel,  administer  its 
ordinances,  set  forth  its  laws,  and  administer  discipline 
(Matt.  16  :  19  ;   18  :  15-18). 

(b)  The  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  were  promised 
first  to  St.  Peter,  because  he  was  the  first  who  opened  to 
view  the  laws  and  privileges  of  the  kingdom  after  Christ's 
ascension,  [c]  The  keys  symbolized  St.  Peter's  acts  by 
apostolic  authority,  as  recorded  in  Acts  3:7;  5:5; 
9  :   34,   40,    41  ;     15  :  7,     8.      But   the   same     authority    was 


316  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


given  to  all  the  Apostles  after  Christ's  transfiguration 
(Matt.  18  :  18  ;  John  20  :  22,  23).  Civil  ministers,  in  the 
name  of  the  government,  pronounce  men  acquitted  or  con- 
demned. The  ministers  of  Christ  have  authority  to  pro- 
nounce men  guilty,  or  innocent  whenever  they  break  or 
keep  the  laws  of  His  kingdom.  The  proclamation  that 
"  the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God" 
was  pre-echoed  by  the  Old  Testament  mandate  respecting 
the  unhealed  leper  :  "  Pronounce  him  unclean!'''  (Lev.  13  : 
3,  n.)  The  proclamation,  "  There  is  therefore  now  w  con- 
demnation to  them  who  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not 
after  the  flesh  but  after  the  Spirit"  (Rom.  8  :  1),  was  also 
pre-sounded  in  the  command  respecting  the  healed  leper — 
"  Pronounce  him  clean "  (Lev.  13  :  23,  28,  37  ;  14  :  11-20). 
The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin  !  (1  John 
1  :7.) 

The  fourth  reading  set  forth  (a)  present  privileges  of 
the  subjects  of  the  kingdom — heirship  and  assurance  of 
pardon,  and  the  joyful  hope  of  fruition  (Job  19  :  25-27  ; 
Matt.  5  :  3-12  ;  Mark  16  :  16  ;  Rom.  8  :  3,  28  ;  14  :  17  ;  1 
John  3  :  14  ;   Col.  1  :  13  ;  James  2  :  5). 

(0)  Future  privileges — the  eternal  possession  of  the  puri- 
fied and  glorified  earth  (Ps.  37  :  11  ;  Dan.  7  :  27  ;  Matt. 
5  :  5  ;  25  •  34  ;   2  Pet.  1  :  11  ;  Rev.  11  :  18  ;  21  :  4). 

The  fifth  reading  had  reference  to  the  kingdom  organized 
at  Christ's  return  to  judge  the  world  (2  Tim.  4  :  1).  The 
King  now  on  the  Father's  throne  will  then  reign  on  his  own 
throne  (Rev.  3  :  21).  The  heirs  now  scattered  will  be 
collected  and  glorified  (Matt.  25  :  34  ;  Eph.  1  :  10  ;  1 
Cor.  15  :  41-44).  The  redeemed  territory  will  be  recovered 
and  cleansed  (Eph.  1  :  14  ;  1  Cor.  15  :  24  ;  2  Pet.  3  : 
10-14  ;  Rev.  21  :  1,  5).  The  glorified  Messiah  will  then 
personally  reign  with  His  saints  forever  and  ever  (Dan.  2  : 
44  ;    7  :  13,  14  ;    Matt. .  16  :   27  ;  Acts   1  :   ti  ;  Rev.    1:7; 


THE  MI  SSI,  \Y  IX  TRIXI T  V  CHI  TRt  'II.  317 

ii   :  15  ;   22  :  4).     Then  the  promises  will  be  fulfilled  in  Isa. 

11:9;    Matt.    13  :  43  ;   Luke    12  :  32  ;  13  :  29  ;   Rev.  5  :  9, 

10 — And  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth. 

The  closing  reading  answered  the  question,  "  Who  will  be 
excluded  f"  (a)  For  such  as  be  blessed  of  II im  shall  inherit 
the  earth  ;  and  they  that  be  cursed  of  Him  shall  be  cut  off 
(Ps.  37  :  9,  22).  The  Son  of  man  shall  send  forth  His 
angels,  and  they  shall  gather  out  of  His  kingdom  all  things 
that  offend   (Matt.  13  :  30,  41,  42). 

Then  shall  He  say  unto  them  on  the  left  hand,  Depart 
from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the 
devil  and  his  angels  (Matt.  25  :  41}.  (b)  Know  ye  not  that 
the  unrighteous  shall  not  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  ?  Be 
not  deceived  ;  neither  fornicators,  nor  idolaters,  nor  adul- 
terers, nor  effeminate,  nor  abusers  of  themselves  with  man- 
kind, nor  thieves,  nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers, 
nor  extortioners,  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God  (1  Cor. 
6  :  9,  10).  (V)  And  there  shall  in  nowise  enter  into  it  any- 
thing that  defileth,  neither  whatsoever  worketh  abomina- 
tion, or  maketh  a  lie  ;  but  they  which  are  wriHen  in  the 
Lamb's  book  of  life  (Rev.  21  :  27). 

(d)  He  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still  ;  and  he  which 
is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still  ;  and  he  that  is  righteous,  let 
him  be  righteous  still  ;  and  he  that  is  holy,  let  him  be  holy 
still.  And,  behold,  I  come  quickly  ;  and  my  reward  is  with 
me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work  shall  be. 
Blessed  are  they  that  do  His  commandments,  that  they 
might  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in 
through  the  gates  into  the  city.  For  without  are  dogs,  and 
sorcerers,  and  whoremongers,  and  murderers,  and  idolaters, 
and  whosoever  loveth  and  maketh  a  lie  (Rev.  22  :  11-15). 

(e)  Repent  ye  :  for  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  is  at  hand 
(Matt.   3  :  2). 

At  the  closing  reading  an    offertory  was   made  for  the   ex- 


318  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

penses  of  the  hall.  The  business  manager  who  had  made 
an  address,  respecting  "  the  usefulness  of  the  readings," 
reckoned  the  offertory.  Afterward  he  kindly  gave  an 
official  receipt  "  in  full,"  though  the  amount  of  the  offertory 
was  less  than  the  regular  charge  for  the  use  of  Lincoln 
Hall. 

The  Bible  Reader  accepted  an  invitation  to  be  his  guest  ; 
but,  unlike  the  guest  at  any  hotel,  he  received  no  bill  from 
his  host  !  He  knew  that  "  the  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the 
fulness  thereof,"  and  the  power  to  amass  wealth  God  gave, 
and  all  the  precious  metals  God  veined  in  their  mines,  and 
that  the  compensation  His  ministers  receive  from  those  to 
whom  they  are  sent  or  go  to,  in  order  to  minister  in  His 
name,  should  not  be  received  as  alms  are  received  by 
beggars.  God  is  not  a  pauper  nor  His  servants  bene- 
ficiaries. They  could  make  money  like  other  men,  had 
they  devoted  themselves  to  the  service  of  mammon.  John 
Wesley  also  realized  this  ;  for  when  he  knew  that  one  of 
his  preachers,  Mr.  S.  Bradburn,  needed  money,  he  im- 
mediately wrote  him  a  letter,  and  enclosed  therein  two 
five-pound  notes.  Instead  of  saying,  "  I  have  so  many  calls 
for  aid,  do  not  expect  this  to  be  repeated" —  which  had 
not  been  expected,  nor  the  money  in  the  letter—he  wrote  : 

"  Dear  Sammy  :  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  be  doing  good. 
Dwell  in  the  land,  and,  verily,  thou  shalt  be  fed. 

"  Yours, 

11  John  Wesley." 

To  this  note  Mr.  Bradburn  at  once  responded  : 
"  Dear  Mr.  Wesley  :  I  have  often  read  the  verse  which 
you  quote  to  me,  but  have  never  before  found   it  accom- 
panied by  such  excellent  notes.         Yours, 

"Samuel  Bradburn." 
This  little  playfulness  did  not  add   to   his   depression  ; 


THE  MISS/OX  IN  TRINITY  CHURCH.  :U(J 

for  the  "faithful  old  preacher"  was  lifted  out  of  the 
depths,  and  went  on  his  way  rejoicing,  more  useful  than 
ever. 

As  the  gentleman  in  Washington  had  by  some  means 
learned  that  his  guest  had  gratuitously  preached  in  the  city 
about  fifty  Gospel  sermons  ;  when  the  train  was  ready  to 
start  he  stepped  into  the  car  and  handed  him  a  note,  say- 
ing, "  Take  this  salt  for  your  porridge,"  said  "  farewell,"  and 
hurried  off  the  train.  When  the  receiver  opened  the  note- 
paper  it  contained  a  new  Jive-dollar  bill  /  How  can  he  resist 
the  temptation  to  here  record  this  act  of  kindness,  written 
with  others  on  his  heart  ! 


1 


320 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


/ 


CHAPTER   XIV. 


THE    GREAT    TEMPERANCE    MISSION    IN    WASHINGTON,  D.   C. 

Mr.  Edward  Murphy  in  Lincoln  Hall — An  Irish  Blessing — 
The  Cost  of  "  the  Blue  Ribbon" — Mass  Meeting  on  Capitol 
Hill —  The  Speakers  Suddenly  Disappearing. 

The  temperance  mission  in  Lincoln  Hall  was  ably  con- 
ducted by  the  eloquent  Edward  Murphy.  On  several  oc- 
casions the  crowds  outside  the  hall  struggled  in  vain  to  reach 
its  entrance.  At  the  close  of  his  introductory  lecture,  when 
the  packed  audience  had  been  greatly  stirred  by  the  lect- 
urer's eloquence — looking  now  at  the  platform  as  if  he  saw 
the  dragon  of  intemperance,  with  his  poisonous  sting  pro- 
truding, Mr.  Murphy  in  rapid  succession  used  all  the  terms 
of  denunciation  that  he  could  remember  in  the  vocabulary 
of  invective.  Now  with  arms  extended  and  hands  clinched, 
he  gives  a  sudden  jump,  as  if  desirous  to  at  once  crush  the 
monster's  head  ;  and  as  his  heels  come  down  heavily  upon 
the  platform,  some  who  are  near  him  thereon  are  startled. 
At  this  service  the  White  House  florist,  in  the  name  of  the 
wife  of  President  Hayes,  presented  to  the  lecturer  a  beau- 
tiful bouquet,  composed  of  some  of  the  choicest  flowers  in 
the  President's  conservatory. 

Though  the  Bible  Reader  had  specially  emphasized 
"Righteousness"  and  "the  judgment  to  come,"  he 
offered  prayer  at  most  of  the  lectures  of  Mr.  Murphy  on 
"  Temperance."  But,  because  again  and  again  the  cheerful 
lecturer  .had  made  him   blush   by   compliments,  that  made 


THE  GREAT  TEMPERANCE  MISSION.  321 


the  people  smile,  the  reader  may  smile  also  when  he  learns 
how  the  "dear  English  brother"  cured  him,  that  his 
eulogies  might  cease.  Knowing  that  the  sons  of  the 
Emerald  Isle  value  benedictions,  for  when  Mr.  Murphy  was 
about  to  leave  his  old  home,  and  had  said,  "  I  am  now 
off  from  Ireland  to  live  in  free  America— good-by,  my  very 
dear  mother,"  she  uttered  her  blessing  on  her  son,  which 
he  vividly  described.  When  he  next  uttered  at  a  meeting 
a  complimentary  sentence  concerning  his  "dear  English 
brother,"  the  moment  the  lecturer  had  ''taken  his  seat, 
the  "dear  Episcopal  brother"  arose  to  speak  a  word  or 
two  without  an  invitation  !  Looking  into  the  lecturer's 
face,  in  solemn  tone  he  said  :  "  Mr.  Murphy,  where  were 
you  born  ?"  He  answered,  "  In  old  Ireland,"  and  named 
the  place  and  county.  He  was  next  asked  :  "  Do  you  de- 
sire a  real  Irish  blessing?"  He  answered:  "Yes;"  and 
with  a  solemn  face  reverently  bowed  his  head  to  receive  the 
benediction.  But  the  instant  his  "dear  brother"  said  :  "  Mr. 
Murphy,  may  you  live  forever,  and  then  die  happy  "  he  placed 
an  open  hand  close  to  each  side  of  his  head,  as  if  studying 
what  to  say  as  an  answer.  He  then  recovered  from  his  sur- 
prise at  the  nature  of  the  "  real  Irish  blessing,"  and  united 
with  the  audience  in  a  smile,  with  vocal  accompaniments. 

Afterward  the  benedictor  received  no  more  public  com- 
pliments, and  could  obtain  from  Mr.  Murphy  no  more 
answers  to  personal  questions.  At  a  meeting  in  Lincoln 
Hall  he  announced  the  one  who  had  blessed  him  as  "  the 
next  speaker."  Knowing  that  the  temperance  lecturer  is  a 
good  Methodist,  and  that  Wesley  had  said,  "  The  true 
Methodist  is  the  true  churchman,"  the  next  speaker  de- 
sired to  say,  "  I  am  a  member  of  the  Mother  Church,  of 
which  true  Methodists  are  children  ;"  he  said  :  "  Mr. 
Murphy,  to  what  Church  do  you  belong  ?"  Not  desiring 
another"  Irish  blessing,"  he  replied  :  "  I  am  not  willing  to 


322  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 


tell  in  public  the  name  of  the  one  I  am  courting."  So,  as 
his  "  dear  English  brother '"  had  momentarily  embarrassed 
him,  he  kindly  returned  the  compliment  ;  for  the  "  next 
speaker"  had  no  notes  to  guide  him,  and  the  answer  ex- 
pected, on  which  to  base  a  brief  eulogy  respecting  the 
Church  in  which  Wesley  had  lived  and  died,  had  not  been 
given  ;  without  coughing  when  his  vocal  chords  were  in 
good  order,  "  the  next  speaker  ' '  soon  spake  on  a  more  tem- 
perate theme.  Mr.  Murphy's  temperance  lectures  in 
Washington  created  an  interest  equal  to  that  enkindled  by 
the  Advent  Mission  in  New  York  City.  But  as  there  were 
three  temperance  parties  in  the  city,  two  of  them  dis- 
agreed with  some  of  the  renowned  lecturer's  views,  simply 
because  to  their  different  powers  of  vision  the  same  circle 
seemed  to  be  of  different  diameters.  One  of  the  economi- 
cal temperance  movement  officials  complained  of  the  cost 
of  so  many  hundred  yards  of  thin  narrow  blue  ribbon,  a 
very  small  piece  of  which  was  placed  on  the  button-hole  of 
each  who  had  signed  the  pledge.  Others  thought  that 
Mr.  Murphy  expected  too  many  dollars  for  his  continu- 
ous services,  and  more  than  one  person  hinted  that  in 
view  of  the  eternal  reward  awaiting  him  "  in  the  world  to 
come"  for  such  abundant  labors,  for  merely  doing  his 
fellow-man  good,  he  surely  should  not  expect  much  finan- 
cial compensation  "  in  this  present  world.' '  One  man,  who 
deserves  an  adjective  to  his  gender  for  his  unmanly  con- 
duct, went  to  the  clerk  of  the  hotel  to  ascertain  whether 
Mr.  Murphy  or  his  son  and  daughter  had  "  extravagant 
extras  !"  During  the  successful  orator's  stay  in  Washing- 
ton several  saloons  were  closed,  and  the  fixtures  for  sale 
sent  to  the  auction  room.  A  notice  in  several  of  the 
empty  saloon  windows  read  :  "  This  store  is  to  rent."  Ad- 
vertisements had  failed  to  allure  any  applicants  to  buy  the 
establishments  Mr.  Murphy  did  not  eulogize., 


THE  GREA  T  TEMPERANCE  MISSION.  323 


"  The  closing  mass-meeting"  was  held  on  a  Sunday 
afternoon  in  front  of  the  Capitol.  The  steps  were  used  as 
seats,  and  crowded.  The  square  platform  for  speakers,  near 
the  Capitol's  steps,  was  surrounded  with  a  rail,  to  be 
grasped  by  whoever  made  no  graceful  gestures.  In  front 
and  around  the  platform  were  about  10,000  persons.  After 
the  opening  hymn,  the  lecturer  requested  "  my  dear 
brother"  to  offer  prayer  ;  and  the  Lord's  prayer  was  said. 
So  many  voices  commingled,  that  the  air  seemed  to  rum- 
ble, as  when  a  storm  is  approaching.  The  chaplain  who 
was  instrumental  in  Mr.  Murphy's  conversion  and  his  re- 
lease from  the  power  that  had  made  him  a  "  prisoner  for 
life" — the  penalty  for  murder  in  the  second  degree — for 
when  he  was  drunk  at  his  own  hotel  in  Portland,  he  pushed 
a  guest  down  the  front  stairs,  and  the  fall  killed  him  ; 
though  God  has  forgiven  him,  the  thought  that  he  was 
guilty  of  even  unintentional  murder  makes  his  heartache, 
and  large  tears  dim  his  good  natured  eyes.  The  chaplain 
who  addressed  the  thousands  that  Mr.  Murphy's  eloquence 
and  earnestness  had  attracted  to  assemble,  was  also  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  pardon  which  permitted  him  to  de- 
part from  the  prison  and  return  to  his  broken-hearted  wife 
and  five  hungry  children.  After  several  addresses,  the 
closing  hymn  was  sung,  and  thousands  of  voices  joined  in 
the  chorus.  Mr.  Murphy  asked  his  "  dear  brother"  to 
pronounce  the  benediction  of  peace  on  the  vast  multitude. 
So  soon  as  the  "  Amen"  is  said  a  creaking  sound  is 
heard  !  The  platform  is  crowded,  but  is  not  equal  to  the 
weight.  Its  floor  is  four  or  five  feet  above  the  ground. 
Suddenly  a  crash  is  heard  !  Those  on  the  platform  sud- 
denly gravitate  toward  its  centre,  and  instantly  reach 
the  ground  beneath  it.  The  melodion  is  sliding  toward 
the  author  !  With  his  right  hand  extended  he  checks  its 
further  descent.     Fortunately,   on  the  proper  key-note  he 


324  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

starts  "  Hold  the  fort,  for  I  am  coming."  The  people 
heartily  unite  in  the  chorus,  and  thus  a  panic  has  been 
avoided.  Though  the  crash  of  the  floor  of  the  platform 
was  a  moment  ago  heard,  and  those  who  stood  thereon 
were  seen  suddenly  sliding  from  its  crushed  centre  to  the 
ground  beneath  it,  the  spectators  concluded  that  had  any 
of  the  fallen  ones'  bones  been  broken,  they  would  not 
lustily  sing,  ' '  Hold  the  fort,  for  I  a?n  coming. ' ' 


THE  //OX.    '/'.  /..    TULLOCK.  326 


CHAPTER   XV. 

THE  HON.  T.  L.  TULLOCK,  THE  LATE  POSTMASTER. 

An  Old  Friend  who  was  Generally  Respected — By  Relatives 
and  Intimate  Friends  he  was  much  Beloved — He  Allowed  No 
Friend  to  Suffer  if  he  could  Relieve  Him — His  Death 
Lamented —  The  Solemn  Funeral— Published  Testimonials. 

Part  of  the  several  weeks  which  the  author  spent  in 
Washington  he  was  the  guest  of  his  old  friend — once  the 
Postmaster  of  Portsmouth — the  Secretary  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire.  After  the  inauguration  of  General  Grant 
as  President,  he  was  the  chief  appointment  clerk  to  certain 
government  offices.  His  noble  heart  could  not  long  bear 
the  appeals  from  old  friends  for  "  an  official  position,  with 
a  good  room  in  which  the  sun  shines;"  nor  could  he 
long  endure  the  lamentations  of  poor  widows  whose  sons 
had  to  be  removed  from  office,  to  make  way  for  others  who 
had  been  duly  appointed,  etc.  Soon  he  resigned,  and 
later  he  was  appointed  the  Postmaster  of  Washington. 
Whoever  may  criticise  the  author's  prudence  in  making 
some  private  matters  public,  he  is  moved  to  do  so  by  a 
good  motive.  The  Hon.  T.  L.  Tullock,  late  Postmaster 
at  Washington,  was  a  devoted  and  liberal  Methodist, 
whose  talented  son  is  now  treasurer  of  the  Post-Office. 
Several  years  ago  the  author  resolved  not  to  settle  as  Rector 
of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Hyde  Park,  Chicago,  111.,  whose  rich 
congregation  had  offered  him  a  good  salary.  He  also  de- 
clined to  "  promise  to  accept''  a  call  to  the  Rectorship  of 


326  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


a  parish  in  the  city.  He  believed  that  he  could  do  more 
for  "Christ  and  the  Church"  by  doing  the  work  of  an 
Evangelist  ;  and  without  salary  or  bank  account,  he  re- 
solved to  send  one  of  his  sons — Joseph  Fenner — to  Racine 
College,  and  at  once  go  forth  to  do  what  he  so  much  de- 
sired. His  old  friend  kindly  loaned  him  two  hundred 
dollars,  to  enable  him  to  remit  to  the  treasurer  "  the  fees 
payable  quarterly  in  advance,''  and  to  buy  "the  college 
uniform." 

After  the  Centennial  celebration  in  Trinity  Church,  New 
York,  the  author  said  to  the  Rev.  I.  L.  Townsend, 
S.T.D. :  "How  is  my  old  friend,  the  Hon.  T.  L.  Tul- 
lock  ?"  "  He  died  some  time  ago,"  the  Doctor  answered. 
Hoping  that  Doctor  Townsend  had  been  misinformed,  a 
letter  of  inquiry  sent  to  Mr.  Tullock' s  son,  who  is  called 
"  a  High  Churchman,"   was  as  soon  as  possible  answered  : 

Washington,  D.  C,  Oct.  19,  1885. 
My  Dear  Bro.  Bonham  :  Yours  of  recent  date  at  hand.  I  have  been 
so  very  busy  in  the  office  that  I  have  been  unable  to  make  earlier  reply. 
Your  intelligence  is  only  too  true.  My  dear  father  passed  away  on  the 
20th  day  of  June,  1883,  very  quietly  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  where  he  had 
gone  for  his  health.  His  health  had  been  very  poor  for  some  time  pre- 
vious, but  not  enough  to  excite  alarm.  One  thing  after  another  conspired 
to  prevent  his  leaving  the  city  and  obtain  the  respite  which  usually  re- 
freshed him.  He  died  before  I  knew  of  his  danger.  Mrs.  Tullock  was 
with  him.     Enclosed  find  brief  account  of  funeral. 

Hastily  yours, 

Seymour  W.  Tullock. 

When  the  author  wras  crossing  the  Atlantic  on  board 
the  steamship  City  of  Rome,  his  dear  old  friend  departed 
this  life.  This  explains  why  he  had  not  answered  a  letter, 
"  Has  the  new  Administration  affected  your  official 
position  ?"  His  spirit  is  now  in  Paradise  with  the  spirit 
of  the  "  true  Churchman,"  John  Wesley.  That  the 
author  may  find   an  outlet  for  his  own  sorrow,  wThich  min- 


THE  H OX.    T.  L.  TULLOCK.  327 


£les  with  that  of  Mr.  Tullock's  widow  and  his  two  sons, 
he  hereby  endorses  the  following-  testimonial  of  his  be- 
loved friend's  worth,  which  was  published  in  the  Portsmouth 
Journal,  where  he  was  well  known  and  his  departure 
deeply  lamented,  as  well  as  in  Washington. 

FUNERAL  OF  THOMAS  L.  TULLOCK. 

The  remains  of  Hon.  Thomas  L.  Tullock  were  on  Thurs- 
day, the  21st  inst.,  conveyed  from  Atlantic  City,  N.  J. — 
where  he  had  died  the  day  preceding — to  his  home  in 
Washington,  D.  C.  At  the  station,  awaiting  their  arrival, 
were  the  employes  of  the  city  post-office,  letter-carriers, 
Masonic  delegations,  and  many  intimate  friends.  Upon  the 
arrival  of  the  train  the  letter-carriers  took  a  position  in 
line  opposite  the  car,  from  which  eight  of  their  number 
tenderly  lifted  the  casket  containing  the  remains.  As  the 
bearers  passed,  the  line  all  stood  uncovered,  then  fell  in  by 
twos,  and  proceeded  in  procession  to  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Tullock,  on  Capitol  Hill. 

The  next  morning  the  employes  of  the  office  assembled 
in  the  room  of  the  Postmaster,  and  passed  the  following 
resolutions  : 

It  having  pleased  the  All-Wise  Ruler  of  the  Universe  to  take  from  our 
midst  our  much  beloved  and  honored  friend,  counsellor  and  chief, 
Thomas  L.  Tullock,  late  Postmaster  at  Washington,  District  of  Colum- 
bia, it  behooves  us  to  testify  in  some  appropriate  manner  our  feelings  of 
grief  at  the  taking  off  of  so  honored  a  citizen,  exemplary  Christian,  and 
firm  friend,  who  in  every  relation  of  life  was  to  his  fellow-man  just,  hon- 
orable, and  upright.  By  his  death  this  office  loses  an  efficient  chief,  whose 
superior  fitness  for  the  important  position  of  postmaster  was  recognized 
by  all.  While  he  required  the  strictest  compliance  to  duty,  we,  as  his 
immediate  subordinates,  venerated  him  for  his  manly  and  benevolent 
qualities,  and  the  unselfish  interest  always  manifest  in  our  behalf.  Re- 
solved, therefore,  That  we,  the  employes  of  the  City  Post  Office,  testify  our 
appreciation  and  love  to  our  late  ch'.ef,  and  extend  our  heartfelt  sympathy 
to  his  bereaved  family  in  their  great  affliction. 


328 


THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 


Resolved,  That  we  attend  the  funeral  in  a  body,  and  that  a  copy  of 
these  resolutions  be  transmitted  to  the  afflicted  family. 

Mr.  F.  B.  Conger,  the  Assistant  Postmaster,  in  the 
course  of  some  remarks,  said  : 

11  When  called  to  the  City  Post-Office  as  postmaster,  his 
only  desire  was  to  fulfil  the  duties  imposed  upon  him  to 
the  credit  of  the  office  and  himself,  and  you  can  all  testify 
how  successfully  he  accomplished  it.  Early  and  late,  all 
day  and  almost  all  night  he  labored  here  to  master  the 
difficulties  of  a  great  office,  and  he  did  master  them.  You 
all  know  the  improvements  he  made,  and  the  improvements 
he  suggested  in  this  office,  and  you  know  the  result.  In 
the  loss  of  Mr.  Tullock,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  you  and  all 
of  us  have  lost  a  friend  such  as  can  never  be  replaced. 
Whatever  may  be  the  history  of  the  City  Post- Office  of 
Washington  hereafter,  you  can  always  look  back  to  the 
period  of  Mr.  Tullock' s  service,  knowing  that  he  possessed 
one  of  the  strongest  minds,  and  was  one  of  the  most  faithful 
and  efficient  of  all  who  ever  honored  the  position.  I  will, 
in  closing,  read  an  extract  from  a  speech  of  Hon.  John  P. 
Hale,  father-in-  law  of  Secretary  Chandler,  in  which,  on 
the  floor  of  the  United  States  Senate,  he  referred  to  Mr. 
Tullock  and  his  work.  I  read  it  because  it  expresses  so 
beautifully  the  sentiments  of  all  of  those  here  assembled. 
Senator  Hale"  said  : 

"  '  I  say  what  every  citizen  of  New  Hampshire,  what  every  citizen  of 
Maine  that  knows  anything  of  Mr.  Tullock  will  bear  me  out  in  saying,  a 
more  upright,  conscientious,  honest,  faithful,  vigilant  officer  never  held 
a  commission  under  the  Government  from  the  days  of  Washington  to  the 
present  time — a  Christian  who  illustrated  the  sincerity  of  his  faith  by  the 
purity  of  his  life  ;  a  man  of  the  most  exemplary  integrity  ;  a  man  against 
whose  reputation  the  breath  of  scandal  never  breathed,  and  a  calumny  was 
never  uttered.' 

11  Those  words,  uttered  as  long  ago  as  1864,  are  as  true 
to-day,  and  truer,  than  then."     At   four  o'clock  the  same 


THE  1I0X.    T.   L.    TULLOCK.  .'$29 

afternoon  the  remains  were  removed  to  the  Metropolitan 
M.  E.  Church,  under  guard  of  mounted  Knights  Templar. 
The  friends  of  the  dead  were  present  in  large  numbers. 
Among  the  congregation  there  were  none  of  the  morbidly 
curious.  It  was  a  gathering  of  those  who  had  been  drawn 
to  Mr.  Tullock  in  life  by  his  sterling  geniality  and  integrity, 
and  who  paid  his  clay  the  last  tribute  of  affection. 

At  a  quarter  of  five  o'clock  the  voice  of  the  pastor,  Rev. 
Dr.  Huntley,  was  heard  in  the  rear  of  the  church  repeating 
slowly  :  "  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life,"  and  the 
funeral  procession  appeared,  slowly  walking  up  the  aisle. 
In  the  front  were  Drs.  Huntley,  Nay  lor,  Hartsock,  Sunder- 
land, and  Norris.  Following  these  the  honorary  pall- 
bearers :  Ex-Mayor  Emery,  Hon.  W.  E.  Chandler,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy  ;  W.  T.  Hildrup,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.  ; 
John  W.  Thompson,  Gen.  S.  S.  Henkle,  W.  R.  Warner, 
of  Philadelphia  ;  M.  W.  Beveridge,  F.  B.  Conger,  Assist- 
ant Postmaster.  The  following  were  selected  by  the 
Masonic  Scottish  Rite  :  C.  W.  Bennett,  330,  Albert  Pike 
Consistory  ;  A.  T.  Langley,  330,  Robert  Bruce  Coun- 
cil ;  C.  C.  Duncanson,  33°,  Evangelist  Chapter  ;  A.  T. 
March,  320,  Mithras  Lodge  of  Perfection  ;  W.  W.  Upton, 
Masonic  Veteran  Association.  The  following  carriers  and 
employes  from  the  Post-Office  then  came  bearing  the 
casket  :  Messrs.  Sonzenback,  Huguley,  Branson,  Denni- 
son,  Hyatt,  Surpin,  Nottingham,  Shryock.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.   Dr.   Hartsock,  after  which  the  choir  sang 

the  hymn  :  .  * 

"  My  Lord,  thy  will  be  done." 

Dr.  Sunderland  then  rapidly  and  graphically  sketched 
the  life  of  Mr.  Tullock,  tracing  it  from  early  years,  and 
showing  how  the  country  has  become  indebted  to  his 
judgment  and  faithfulness,  by  his  integrity  during  the  war, 
and  his  integrity  since  in  the  public  service. 


330  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Naylor,  of  Baltimore,  who  had  been  an 
intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Tullock  for  some  years  past,  then 
made  a  lengthy  address.  He  said  Mr.  Tullock  was  a  man 
of  grand  and  peculiar  character.  He  was  pure,  honest, 
firm,  possessed  of  great  endurance.  He  was  a  fine  scholar, 
and  his  literary  ability  was  of  the  finest  character,  and, 
like  the  man,  simple,  honest,  direct.  He  was  a  man  whom 
to  know  intimately  was  to  love.  He  was  a  Christian. 
His  religion  was  of  a  grand  kind.  He  did  not  shut  his 
belief  up  in  his  Bible  on  Sunday  night  and  keep  it  there 
until  the  next  Sunday  morning.  He  was  as  pious  in  the 
Post-Office  as  he  was  in  the  Church.  Several  times  during 
the  address  his  voice  was  broken  with  emotion. 

"  Asleep  in  Jesus"  was  sung,  when  the  Knights  Templars 
marched  and  took  their  positions  about  the  casket, 
standing  in  two  lines  facing  each  other,  uncovered  and 
uplifted  swords  crossed.  Upon  the  conclusion  of  their 
ritual,  began  the  stately,  beautiful,  and  impressive  cere- 
mony of  the  ancient  Scottish  Rite,  marked  with  great 
solemnity. 

A  long  line  of  carriages  followed  the  remains  to  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery,  which  was  reached  just  in  the  early  dusk. 
The  light  from  the  windows  of  the  Gothic  Chapel  illu- 
minated the  walks  as  the  cortege  wound  slowly  and  solemnly 
along  on  foot.  Here  the  last  rites  were  said,  and  as  the  last 
light  faded  from  the  sky,  and  earth  grew  still,  Thomas 
Logan  Tullock,  honored  by  his  native  city  and  State,  hon- 
ored by  the  city  of  his  adoption,  honored  by  the  chief 
men  of  the  nation,  was  laid  peacefully  away  for  his  last, 
sweet  sleep.  For  many  years  he  had  been  a  firm  believer 
in  the  Personal  and  Premillennial  Advent  of  his  Saviour. 
Often  he  sang  : 

"  Hark  !  hark  !  hear  the  blest  tidings, 
Soon,  soon  Jesus  will  come. 


THE  HON.   T.  L.    TULLOCK.  381 

Robed,  robed  in  honor  and  glory, 
To  gather  His  ransomed  ones  home. 

:  Long,  long  we  have  been  waiting, 
Who,  who  love  His  blest  name  ; 
Now,  now  we  are  delighting, 
Jesus  is  near  to  proclaim." 

Mr.  Tullock  dearly  loved  his  family  and  friends  ;  and 
that  they  may  meet  in  Christ's  sinless,  deathless,  and  sor- 
rowless  kingdom,  he  fervently  prayed,  "  Come,  Lord  Tesus^ 
come  quickly. ' ' 


332  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    XVI, 

THE    AUTHOR    REVISITS    SCOTLAND    AND    ENGLAND. 

Services  on  Board  the  Cir cassia —  The  Rev.  Lindsay  Parker — 
Service  in  the  Steerage — Dumfries,  Scotland — "  The  Man 
who  Blows  his  own  Trumpet" — Brie/ids  Departed. 

* 

The  author  sailed  in  the  steamship  Circassia,  and  while 
crossing  the  ocean  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  Rev.  Lind- 
say Parker,  who  was  then  "  a  good  Methodist,"  is  now 
"  a  good  churchman,"  and  one  of  the  efficient  ministers 
of  St.  George's  Church,  New  York  City.  On  board  the 
steamer  the  author  held  a  church  service.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Parker  preached  on  the  text,  "  This  one  thing  I  do;"  a 
Presbyterian  clergyman  preached  in  the  afternoon.  The 
ship  was  a  Christian  union  Bethel,  and  the  different  min- 
isters did  not  quarrel.  In  the  steerage  the  author  con- 
ducted a  union  service.  Before  it  closed  a  devoted  layman, 
who  is  president  of  an  oil  exchange  in  Pennsylvania,  made 
an  earnest  Gospel  address,  which  was  not  interrupted  by  a 
babel  of  brokers  "  bulling  or  bearing,''  and  the  passengers 
were  attentive,  and  grateful  that  they  had  not  been  for- 
gotten. 

That  week-day  evenings  might  pass  pleasantly,  musical 
and  oratorical  meetings  were  held.  Two  evenings  were 
occupied  by  a  mock  trial—a  lady  was  the  plaintiff  in  a 
"  breach  of-promise"  suit  ;  a  Roman  Catholic  priest  the 
defendant.  The  judge  wore  a  red  shawl  and  a  wig  which 
sailors  had  made  from  hemp  ;  the  lawyers  also  wore  wigs. 


THE  AUTHOR  REVISITS  SCOTLAND  AND  ENGLAN1 

The  jury  found  the  defendant  "guilty,"  and  the  jury 
recommended  that  the  damages  be  not  heavy.  One  even- 
ing the  author  delivered  his  lecture,  "  Ten  Days  on  the 
Great  Eastern,  when  the  rudder  was  broken  and  the  pad- 
dle-wheels were  destroyed."  He  described  the  dangers 
experienced  or  escaped  ;  gave  sketches  of  some  of  the  sol- 
emn and  ludicrous  scenes  on  board  ;  the  appreciation  of 
religious  services  in  time  of  danger  ;  and  the  means  of 
rescue  from  entombment  in  the  "  liquid  grave,  without  a 
monument."  After  the  safe  arrival  of  the  steamer  at  its 
port  in  Scotland, 

THE    AUTHOR    REVISITED    DUMFRIES, 

the  birthplace  of  the  Scotch  bard,  Burns.  Years  ago,  im- 
mediately after  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond's  revival  services 
had  ended  in  Dumfries,  the  author  held  evangelistic  ser- 
vices in  different  churches  in  the  same  town.  Some  people 
were  more  pleased  with  the  revival  modes  of  the  former, 
others  preferred  those  of  the  latter  ;  some  were  pleased  with 
both  ;  and  the  churches  were  daily  crowded.  A  new 
church  was  built  as  a  thanksgiving  memorial  to  Almighty 
God  for  His  blessing  on  the  evangelistic  services  referred 
to.  In  this  Memorial  Church  the  author  held  an  eight- 
days'  mission,  and  preached  to  large  congregations.  At  the 
same  time  two  Evangelists  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon's 
Tabernacle,  London,  held  Gospel  services  in  a  large  hall. 
The  people  were  summoned  to  the  meetings  by  a  large 
banner  paraded  through  the  streets.  One  of  the  Evange- 
lists was  a  skilful  musician,  and  led  the  singing  by  playing 
his  silver  cornet.  Because  it  had  been  presented  to  him,  his 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spurgeon,  called  this  musical 
Evangelist  "  the  man  who  blows  his  own  trumpet  !" 

After   the  mission  in    the  Memorial    Church    the   author 
delivered  a  lecture  in  the  Town  Hall,  entitled  "  Prevention 


334  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Better  than  Cure."  The  Mayor  of  Dumfries  presided,  and 
at  the  close  of  the  lecture  made  an  address  on  the  impor- 
tance of  securing  rooms  in  which  the  young  men  might  have 
recreation,  without  exposure  to  temptation,  as  the  lecturer 
had  suggested.  When  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  Town 
Hall  a  gentleman  who  met  him  said  :  "  When  you  held  ser- 
vices in  Dumfries  years  ago  I  entered  the  church  ;  your 
sermon  was  directed  personally  to  me  ;  and  that  night  I 
resolved,  by  God's  aid,  to  henceforth  serve  Him  ;  and  He 
has  kept  me  from  falling."  After  one  of  the  sermons  at 
the  time  referred  to  about  two  hundred  remained  for  the 
after-meeting  ;  but  the  Evangelist  could  not  personally 
converse  with  so  many  individually,  and  he  said  to  all 
what  he  hoped  might  be  useful  to  each. 

Several  very  dear  Scotch  friends  had  departed  to  Para- 
dise ;  others  have  since  followed  them,  including  William 
Gregan,  Esq.,  the  devoted  lay-Evangelist,  who  specially 
labored  to  lead  soldiers  to  the  Saviour.  His  devoted  sister, 
Miss  Jane  Gregan,  after  faithful  service  for  the  Master,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  was  numbered  with  the  faithful  de- 
parted. The  venerable  Rev.  Dr.  Woods,  once  "  The  Mod- 
erator of  the  Free  Kirk  of  Scotland,"  heard  the  celestial 
voice  saying,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord 
from  henceforth  ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest 
from  their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them"  (Rev. 
14  :  13)- 


EVANGEUSTIC  SERVICES  IX  STROUD.  335 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

EVANGELISTIC    SERVICES    IN    STROUD,    SOMERSETSHIRE. 

A  Temperance  Hall  Opened — A  Stirring  Lecture —  Topics  of  the 
Gospel  Services — The  Salvation  Arviy — Valuable  Testimo- 
nials— Converts  Pay  their  Bills. 

The  author  hastened  from  Scotland,  in  order  to  comfort 
his  sister,  who  had  recently  lost  her  husband,  T.  S.  Pitts, 
surgeon  and  physician. 

SHE    HEARD    A    VOICE    FROM    HEAVEN,    SAYING  : 

"  Child,  bereaved,  lean  hard, 
And  let  Me  feel  the  pressure  of  thy  care. 
I  know  thy  burden,  for  I  shaped  it  ; 
Poised  it  in  mine  own  hand  :  made  no  proportion 
In  its  weight  to  thine  unaided  strength  : 
For  even  as  I  laid  it  on,  I  said, 
1  I  shall  be  near,  and  while  thou  lean'st  on  Me, 
This  burden  shall  be  mine,  not  thine  ; 
So  shall  I  keep  my  child  within  the  circling  arms 
Of  mine  own  love.'     Here  lay  it  down,  nor  fear 
To  impose  it  on  a  shoulder  which  upholds 
The  government  of  worlds.     Yet  closer  come  : 
Thou  art  not  near  enough  :  I  would  embrace  thy  care, 
So  I  might  feel  my  child  reposing  on  my  breast. 
Thou  lovest  Me  ?    I  knew  it.     Doubt  not  then  ; 
But  loving  Me,  lean  hardy 

To  witness  "  the  modes  of  the  Salvation  Army,"  also 
to  hold  a  series  of  services,  we  left  Uley,  Dursley,  for 
Stroud,    Somersetshire.     Soon    after   our    arrival    an    old 


336  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

friend,  Joseph  Chapman,  Esq.,  of  Frome,  Somerset,  who 
aided  the  author  years  ago  at  evangelistic  services,  came 
to  Stroud  to  be  present  at  the  opening  of  the  Lansdovvn 
Hall,  of  which  he  was  the  architect.  At  the  evening  ser- 
vice a  Church-of-England  clergyman  delivered  therein  a 
lecture  on  Temperance,  who  was  as  earnest  as  the  eloquent 
Canon  Wilberforce.  On  reasonable  terms  the  author 
secured  the  use  of  the  hall  for  a  series  of  services.  The 
following  notice  was  circulated  : 


REV.      J.     W.     BONHAM, 

Evangelist  from  New  York, 
Will  Preach  Sunday  Evening,  August  31,  in  the 

LANSDOWN      HALL,    STROUD, 

ON 

"LOOKING     UNTO     JESUS." 

Service  to  commence  at  Eight  o^clock. 


DURING      THE      WEEK 

He   will  Deliver  a  Series   of 

GOSPEL       LECTURES 

On  the  following  subjects  : 

Monday  Evening, "  Condemnation  :  Its  Justness." 

Tuesday  Evening, "Justification:   Its  Specific  Nature." 

Wednesday  Evening "  True  Repentance  :   Its  Necessity." 

Thursday  Evening, "  Saving  Faith  :   How  Incited." 

Friday  Evening,         "Assurance:  Its  Blessedness." 


Service  each  Week  Evening  at  7.30. 

"  The  Spirit  and  the  Bride  say,  Come  /" 


EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES  IX   STROUD.  337 


Before  the  author  left  Stroud  he  studied  the  modes  of 
the  Salvation  Army,  but  admired  their  moral  courage  more 
than  some  of  their  methods.  The  first  service  he  attended 
was  held  in  a  vacated  Methodist  chapel.  All  the  seats  in 
the  body  and  galleries  of  the  old  placevwere  occupied,  and 
many  persons  stood  during  the  services.  He  was  asked  to 
"  make  a  short  address  ;"  but  as  the  people  had  listened  to 
several  addresses  he  respectfully  declined  the  kind  invita- 
tion. To  study  the  after-meeting,  he  stood  near  the  central 
entrance.  A  gentleman  in  a  quiet  tone  said  :  "  What  is 
your  opinion  of  the  Salvation  Army's  methods?''  Not 
knowing  whether  he  was  a  Jew  or  Turk  or  infidel,  the 
author  replied  ;  "  If  you,  sir,  were  drowning,  and  any  one 
should  grasp  you,  you  would  not  complain  of  the  rough- 
ness of  whoever  strove  to  save  you."  He  was  a  good 
11  Plymouth  Brother/'  from  whom  we  accepted  an  invita- 
tion to  address  the  "  Brethren"  in  their  chapel.  The 
brethren  had  so  much  confidence  in  the  genuineness  of  the 
converts  of  the  "  Salvationists,"  that  they  spared  no  pains 
to  induce  them  to  come  to  the  meetings,  to  be  Biblically 
instructed,  and  to  "  avoid  excitement." 

In  Stroud  the  Salvation  Army  captains  had  neither  fife, 
trumpet,  tambourine,  nor  drum  ;  they  did  nothing  that  the 
primitive  and  other  Methodists  did  not  do  when  the  author 
was  a  boy.  A  gentleman  asked  :  "  Do  you  not  think,  sir, 
that  Salvation  Army  services  will  bring  disgrace  upon  re- 
ligion ?"  "  Not  more  so,  sir,  than  the  curses  and  blas- 
phemies of  the  godless,  whom  other  Christians  have  failed 
to  influence,"  he  answered. 

A  tradesmen  said  :  "  Since  the  Salvation  Army  came  to 
Stroud  their  converts  have  paid  their  long  unpaid  bills.  At 
Newcastle,  the  Mayor,  Chief  of  Police,  several  local  magis- 
trates, and  two  members  of  Parliament  published  their 
testimony,  certifying  that    since  a   corps  of    the    Salvation 


338 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Army  had  visited  Newcastle,  large  numbers  of  uneducated 
people,  whom  no  other  religious  body  had  been  able  to 
influence,  had  become  sober  and  peaceful  citizens."  And 
the  Roman  Catholic  Cardinal  Archbishop  of  England 
wrote  a  paper  for  a  review,  in  which  he  deplored  the  Army's 
eccentricities  ;  but  added  :  "  If  any  of  the  ordained  clergy 
who  have  received  the  grace  of  Holy  Orders  fail  to  do  the 
work  for  which  they  were  set  apart,  that  no  more  souls 
perish  through  priestly  neglect  or  indifference,  God,  who 
is  Love,  wTill  forgive  those  who,  without  the  grace  of  Holy 
Orders,  are  striving  to  rescue  and  save  the  lest  !"  In  some 
of  the  dioceses  in  England,  rectors  have  organized  "  the 
Salvation  Army  of  the  Church  of  England."  One  of  the 
English  Bishops  administers  the  Holy  Communion  to  as 
many  of  the  officers  of  the  old  Salvation  Army  as  can  find 
room  in  the  largest  church. 

A  prominent  dry-goods  merchant  in  Stroud  travels  most 
of  the  time,  holding  evangelistic  services.  He  is  not  anx- 
ious concerning  his  business,  for  he  gives  his  employes  a 
share  of  the  profits.  He  also  supports  a  home  for  con- 
valescents, which  has  benefited  many.  While  the  author 
was  in  Stroud  this  merchant  minister  sent  for  a  young 
Churchman  to  aid  the  Salvationists,  and  he  preached  to 
crowded  congregations.  Both  treated  the  American  Evan- 
gelist with  very  great  kindness.  One  afternoon,  while  we 
were  riding,  the  author  caused  surprise  by  calling  the 
young  Churchman  "  a  Sacramentarian/'  but  soon  relieved 
him  from  his  embarrassment  by  stating  that  "  Lexicog- 
raphers define  a  Sacramentarian  as  one  who  differs  from 
the  Romish  Church  by  denying  the  real  Presence  in  the 
Holy  Eucharist." 


THE   GENERAL   MI  SSI  OX  AT  LUTON.  :iLJU 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE    GENERAL    MISSION    AT    LUTON,    BEDFORDSHIRE. 

St.  Mary 's  Church  Crowded — Services  for  Women  only — Ser- 
vice at  the  Poor-house  —  A  Novel  After-meeting — Surplice d 
Choristers  among  the  Inquirers. 

On  the  author's  way  to  Luton  he  passed  "  St.  Albans," 
the  shrine  of  the  first  British  martyr,  St.  Alban.  On  his 
arrival  at  Luton  he  hastened  to  St.  Mary's  Church,  in 
which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Aitken  was  conducting  a  Mission.  After 
the  morning  service  he  received  a  cordial  welcome  from 
the  Missioner,  the  Vicar,  and  later  from  the  Missioners  at 
the  other  churches.  Services  were  daily  held  in  all  the 
churches  in  the  place,  and  in  almost  every  direction  notices 
of  the  various  services  met  the  eye,  printed  in  red  or  blue 
or  black.  The  Missioners  were  the  Revs.  W.  H.  Aitken, 
Pelham  Stokes,  J.  H.  Lester,  E.  W.  Warren,*  and  E.  E. 
Meers,  Vicar  of  Pendon,  Cornwall.  That  all  classes  might 
be  reached,  services  were  also  held  in  school- rooms,  work- 
shops, and  in  the  Town  Hall.f  On  one  occasion  the  author 
accompanied  the  Rev.  Pelham  Stokes  and  others  to  the 
Poor-house  to  comfort  the  paupers.  They  were  very 
grateful,  and  said  :  "  Do  come  again  !"  By  permission  of 
the  landlords,  public-bouses  were  visited  and  the  inmates 
invited  to  attend  the  Mission  services.      As  the  Mission  was 

*  At  the  New    York    Advent   Mission  he   was  the  efficient  Missioner. 
See  Part  V.,  Chapter  XIII. 
f  For  f'omen  only. 


340  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

designed  for  the  growth  in  grace  of  believers  as  well  as  the 
conversion  of  the  godless,  special  noon-day  services  were 
also  held  in  St.  Mary's,  the  largest  church  in  Luton. 
Church-party  names  were  not  sounded,  and  clergymen 
termed  "  High,"  and  "  Low,"  and  "  Broad  "  attended  the 
morning  services  for  Christians,  and  were  incited  to  holy 
duties.  When  the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated  a 
spiritual   serenity   prevailed,    and    the    worshippers    could 

sing  : 

"  Already  my  soul  feels  a  sweet  prelibation 

Of  joys  that  await  me  when  freed  from  probation. 
My  heart  is  now  in  heaven,  the  Eden  of  love." 

On  each  evening  previous  to  the  public  services  a  goodly 
number  of  Christians  assembled  in  the  chapel,  which  is 
"separated  from  the  chancel  and  the  body  of  the  church  by 
a  large  stone  screen.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Vicar,  or  some 
one  appointed  to  take  his  place,  in  this  chapel,  in  which  are 
monuments  of  the  dead  who  fell  asleep  centuries  ago,  ex- 
tempore prayers  were  offered  for  God's  blessing  on  the 
public  services,  and  short  addresses  were  made  by  devoted 
laymen  and  the  local  and  visiting  clergy.  During  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  prayer-meeting  people  quietly  entered  the 
church,  and  generally,  at  its  close,  not  an  unoccupied  seat 
in  the  church  could  be  found.  The  public  services  were 
opened  by  hearty  congregational  singing  and  brief  litur- 
gical services,  varied  each  evening,  as  authorized  by  "  The 
Shortened  Service  Bill."  The  Mission  sermons  were  ad- 
dressed chiefly  to  the  unsaved  and  to  those  who  were  ask- 
ing, "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"'  At  the  last  evening 
service  so  great  was  the  interest  that  the  two  thousand 
chairs  placed  in  the  body  of  the  church  were  occupied  be- 
fore the  appointed  time  for  service.  Even  the  spaces  in 
the  entrances  and  aisles,  and  transepts  and  sanctuary  in 
front  of  the  chancel  rail,  and  the  chapels  on  each  sidfc  were 


THE   GENERAL   MI  SSI  OX  AT  /A' TON.  ::il 

crowded.  When  the  service  began,  deeply  fervent  was  the 
spirit  of  devotion,  and  very  hearty  the  singing.  Solemn 
and  moving  was  the  sermon,  and  the  audienpe  could  not 
have  listened  with  more  devout  attention.  Night  after 
night,  with  intense  but  subdued  earnestness,  the  Missioner 
pointed  out  the  successive  steps  to  everlasting  live. 

To  receive  additional  light,  hundreds  remained  after  the 
close  of  the  public  service.  But  as  there  were  many  more 
than  the  Missioner,  parish,  and  visiting  clergy  could  in- 
dividually converse  with,  he  invited  as  many  as  the  place 
would  hold  to  meet  him  in  the  chapel  on  the  right  of  the 
chancel,  and  requested  the  others  to  remain  in  the  nave  of 
the  church.  Soon  the  chapel  was  filled  with  souls  deeply 
in  earnest,  and  among  them  several  of  the  choristers,  who 
had  gone  in  without  taking  time  to  remove  their  surplices. 
It  was  an  impressive  sight  to  see  kneeling  with  the  inquirers, 
in  a  surplice,  one  here,  another  there,  and  another  yonder. 
As  the  Evangelist  could  not  personally  converse  with  so 
large  a  number,  he  gave  a  peculiar  but  impressive  instruc- 
tion. Having  stated  that  whatever  was  essential  to  bring 
salvation  within  reach  of  all  had  been  done  by  Jesus  Christ, 
and  that  the  acceptance  of  this  salvation  rests  with  two 
parties — yourselves  and  God — the  Missioner  inquires  : 
"  Have  you  tried  the  world  and  found  its  joy  unsatisfac- 
tory ?"  And  the  inquirers  answer  in  unison  :  "  We  have." 
He  now  asks  :  "  Have  you  resolved  by  God's  help  to  turn 
your  back  upon  the  unsatisfying  world  and  whatever  to 
God  is  displeasing?"  Hearing  the  answer,  "  We  have  so 
resolved,"  he  now  inquires  :  "  Do  you  believe  that,  having 
sinned  against  God,  you  are  justly  under  condemnation  ?'' 
They  reply  :  "  We  do."  The  Missioner  next  inquires  :  "  Do 
you  believe  that  God  is  satisfied  with  what  Christ  volun- 
tarily suffered  as  a  satisfaction  for  all  your  sins  ?"  Hear- 
ing the  commingling  answer  of   each,  "I   do,"  he  says: 


342  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

"  As  God  is  satisfied,  and  there  are  but  two  parties  in- 
volved, who  else  must  be  satisfied  ?"  and  asks  :  "  Are  you 
satisfied  ?"  ^He  now  requests  them  to  say  aloud  in  unison  : 
"  O  Lord,  because  Thou  art  satisfied  with  thy  Son's  atone- 
ment, I  am  satisfied.  I  accept  the  salvation  thy  love  has 
provided.  I  trust  my  soul  to  thy  great  mercy.  I  rest  my 
soul  on  Thee,  and  Thee  alone."  In  this  simple  manner 
salvation-seeking  souls  are  led  step  by  step  out  of  the  cell 
of  condemnation  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of 
God.  Receiving  the  atonement,  turmoil  ceases,  darkness, 
vanishes,  hope  dawns,  tears  are  wiped  away,  and  sad  faces 
become  radiant. 

The  author  sent  a  comprehensive  report  of  the  mission 
at  Luton  to  the  New  York  Churchman.  But  alas,  he  spent 
his  time  and  strength  for  naught,  for  it  only  increased 
the  light  and  heat  when  the  office  was  on  fire,  and  it  was 
burned  with  other  copy  !  Soon  after  the  mission  at  Luton 
closed  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  recommenced  his 
work  as  missioner. 


THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION  IN  ROCHESTER,  X.    V.     343 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

THE    PAROCHIAL    MISSION    IN    ROCHESTER,    N.    Y. 

The  Mission  in  St.  Luke' s  Church  —  The  Mission  at  Nineveh — 
The  Mission  at  Clifton  Springs — The  Mission  at  Bloomfield 
— Services  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Episcopal  clergy  of  Rochester  invited  the  author  to 
visit  the  city  to  preach  in  the  different  parish  churches. 
He  convinced  them  that  it  would  be  more  desirable  to  hold 
concentrated  services  in  one  of  the  large  churches,  and  that 
the  respective  rectors  in  Rochester  take  part  in  the  Mission 
services.  The  Mission  was  commenced  in  St.  Luke's 
Church,  of  which  the  Rev.  H.  Anstice,  D.D.,  has  for  so 
many  years  been  the  esteemed  Rector.  On  Ash  Wednesday 
evening  the  Missioner  preached  on  the  mission  of  the 
Prophet  Jonah  to  the  Ninevites.  The  sermon  first  de- 
scribed the  great  wickedness  of  the  people,  and  God's  de- 
sire to  save  them  ;  Jonah's  regret  that  there  was  no  San- 
hedrin  canon  to  confine  him  in  Judea  ;  his  refusal  to  go  to 
Nineveh  ;  his  flight  to  Tarshish  ;  and  the  punishment  for 
his  disobedience,  his  three  days'  entombment  within  "  the 
great  fish,''  that  God  had  provided  to  swallow  him.  The 
name  of  the  species  is  not  specified  in  the  original  text. 
Second,  his  recommission  and  obedience  to  God's  man- 
date, "  Go  to  Nineveh,  that  great  city,  and  preach  the 
preaching  that  I  bid  thee."  Third,  the  prophet's  arrival  in 
the  city  ;  the  general  alarm  incited  by  his  message,  "  Yet 
forty  days  and  Nineveh  shall  be  destroyed."     Fourth,  the 


344  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

general  fasting  and  humiliation  of  all  the  people  the  king 
had  decreed  ;  their  confession  of  their  sinfulness,  and  united 
prayers  that  God  would  manifest  His  saving  mercy. 

The  instruction  after  the  sermon  explained  that  God 
repents  when  He  withholds  threatened  punishment,  and 
saves  repentant  people  who  turn  toward  Him,  confessing 
their  sins  and  imploring  absolution.  Because  the  Ninevites 
had  truly  repented  the  day  on  which  they  expected  destruc- 
tion— they  doubtless  offered  united  thanksgiving,  that  while 
they  deserved  the  fulfilment  of  the  awful  threatening — in 
answer  to  their  penitential  prayers  God  showed  that  He  is 
indeed  merciful  and  gracious.  The  close  of  the  instruc- 
tion set  forth  that  while  Jonah  was  the  great  prophet  to  the 
people  of  ancient  heathendom,  at  a  later  period  of  the 
world's  history  St.  Paul  became  the  great  Apostle  of  the 
Gentiles,  God  thus  manifesting  His  uncontrollable  Sover- 
eignty in  saving  simultaneously  all  the  people  of  the  great 
city  of  Nineveh  or  a  solitary  person  of  any  place  or  nation. 
None,  therefore,  may  prescribe  how  many  ought  to  be  saved 
at  a  given  time  ;  nor  the  intervals  between  the  manifesta- 
tions of  God's  undeserved  mercy  to  any  whom  His  Holy 
Spirit  moves  to  truly  repent  and  to  cry  :  "  God  be  merci- 
ful to  me  a  sinner  !" 

The  Mission  was  continued  for  twelve  days.  Different 
rectors  took  part  in  the  services.  A  number  of  mutes  oc- 
cupied part  of  one  of  the  galleries.  Their  instructor,  in  the 
sign  language,  translated  the  sermons.  The  Rector  heartily 
co-operated  with  the  Missioner  tomake  the  Mission  efficient, 
and  a  number  of  his  devoted  people  prayed  that  God's 
blessing  crown  it. 

Services  for  "  women  only"  were  conducted  in  the  chapel 
by  Mrs.  Bonham,  who  excels  as  a  Bible  Reader.  St.  Luke's 
Chapel  was  filled,  and  her  expositions  and  exhortations  were 
highly   appreciated.     Soon  afterward  the  Rt.  Rev.  Cleve- 


THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION  IN  ROCHESTER,  N.    V, 


land  Coxe,  D.D.,  administered  the  solemn  rite  of  Confir- 
mation. After  the  close  of  the  service  he  cheered  the  Mis- 
sioner  by  kindly  expressing  his  appreciation  of  his  efforts 
in  Rochester  and  elsewhere  to  promote  the  welfare  of  his 
diocese.  Convinced  that  parochial  Missions,  conducted  in 
a  churchly  mode,  through  God's  blessing,  promote  devo- 
tion in  Christians  and  awaken  the  dead  to  life,  the  fervent 
Bishop  of  Western  New  York  doubtless  rejoices  that  the 
Advent  Mission  in  New  York  City  was  successful,  and 
that  the  earnest  Rector  of  his  old  parish  had  secured  Bishop 
Elliott  and  Bishop  Tuttle  to  be  the  Missioners  in  Calvary 
Church. 

THE    MISSION    AT    CLIFTON    SPRINGS,    N.    Y. 

Soon  after  the  Mission  in  Rochester  the  Missioner  was 
invited  to  spend  a  week  at  Dr.  Foster's  Sanitarium,  Clifton 
Springs.  The  Rector  of  St.  John's  Church  was  partially 
recovering  from  an  attack  of  fever.  To  aid  him,  heat  once 
freely  commenced  an  eight  days'  Mission.  At  every  ser- 
vice the  church  was  filled,  and  a  general  interest  in  the 
parish  awakened.  After  the  Mission  he  preached  in  the 
chapel  of  the  Sanitarium.  Convalescents  occupied  the 
pews,  and  the  invalids  listened  on  their  couches  in  places 
adjacent  to  the  chapel.  By  special  invitation  he  preached 
in  the  Methodist  Church  to  a  large  congregation,  whose 
Methodistic  fervor  made  the  preliminary  liturgical  worship 
inspiring.  The  people  uttered  a  hearty  "  Amen  "  at  the 
proper  time,  but  the  responses  were  not  "  vociferous." 
He  afterward  learned  that  the  Mission  in  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  sermons  in  the  Sanitarium  Chapel  and 
Methodist  Church  had  removed  much  prejudice,  and  awak- 
ened an  interest  in  favor  of  the  old  historic  church,  before 
unknown  at  Clifton  Springs.  The  Missioner  had  board 
and  medical  baths  and  a  comfortable  room  at  the  Sani- 


346 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


tarium  for  over  two  weeks  ;  but  the  liberal  proprietor,  Dr. 
Foster,  refused  to  receive  any  compensation. 


THE    MISSION    IN    ST.  PETER  S    CHURCH,  EAST    BLOOMFIELD. 

By  special  arrangement,  made  after  one  of  the  services 
in  St.  John's  Church  at  Clifton  Springs,  the  Evangelist 
visited  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.  The  Rector  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  who  met  him  on  his  arrival,  said  :  "  Let  us  hold  a 
council  of  war.  On  my  way  to  the  depot  I  visited  some 
of  my  influential  parishioners.  They  said  it  would  be  use- 
less for  a  Church  Evangelist  to  attempt  to  hold  revival  ser- 
vices in  Bloomfield.  Call  with  me  to  persuade  them  to 
consent  that  you  hold  a  Mission  in  our  church."  He  re- 
plied that  he  would  willingly  call  to  see  them,  but  not  for 
the  object  specified.  If  the  Rector  desired  him  to  conduct 
a  Mission  he  would  do  so.  After  conversation  at  the  Rec- 
tory, the  Missioner  accepted  from  the  Rector  an  invitation 
to  hold  a  Mission,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  circu- 
late notices  when  it  would  commence. 

The  congregations  grew  so  large  that  for  the  Mission 
service  the  first  Sunday  evening  the  Presbyterian  Church 
was  kindly  loaned.  It  was  twice  as  large  as  St.  Peter's 
Church,  but  was  filled.  Before  the  Evangelist  went  to  the 
pulpit,  behind  which  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Methodist 
minister  would  sit,  the  Evangelist,  who  wore  his  surplice, 
comforted  them,  saying  :  "  You  will  wear  a  white  robe  at 
the  marriage  supper  of  the  Lamb."  The  service  before 
the  sermon  was  a  selection  from  the  Prayer-Book.  In  view 
of  the  great  interest  the  Mission  awakened,  it  was  con 
tinued  during  the  second  week.  To  accommodate  the 
people — some  of.  whom  came  several  miles — the  closing  ser- 
mon was  preached  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  As  the 
Methodist  clergyman   had   given   up   his   Sunday  evening 


THE  PAROCHIAL  MISSION  IN  ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.   347 

service,  that  his  people  might  attend  the  closing  Mission 
service,  before  the  Evangelist  left  Bloomfield,  in  fulfilment 
of  his  promise,  he  gave  a  temperance  lecture  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  on  "  The  Fatal  Festival  ;  or,  The 
Drunken  Monarch"  who  trembled  when  he  read  :  "  Mene, 
Mene,  Tekel,  Upharsin."  In  explaining  the  import  of  the 
sentence,  Daniel  said  :  "Peres :  thy  kingdom  is  divided  and 
given  to  the  Medes  and  Persians."  Peres  is  Upharsin, 
without  the  conjunction  and  suffix. 


348  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

MISSIONS    IN    VARIOUS    CHURCHES. 

t 

The  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  Anthon  Memorial — 
The  Chapel  of  the  Reco?iciliation — Christ  Chapel,  Brookly7i — 
St,  James'  Church — St.  Luke 's  Church,  Pittsburg. 

A  few  years  ago  the  author  held  an  eight  days'  Mission 
in  the  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  New  York.  At 
the  afternoon  services  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dorman  read  the  ser- 
vice and  led  the  singing.  The  sermons  were  addressed  to 
Christians,  for  the  promotion  of  growth  in  grace.  The 
evening  sermons  were  addressed  to  the  uniegenerate  and 
to  persons  asking  :  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  The 
large  church  was  not  filled,  but  all  present  were  devoutly 
attentive.  In  the  closing  sermon  the  Missioner  said  : 
11  Missioners  cannot  do  the  work  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  ; 
so  that  if  a  Missioner  cannot  effect  results  in  eight  days 
which  have  not  been  produced  by  the  Rector's  hard  labors 
in  so  many  years,  the  people  should  not  be  disappointed." 
The  Rector,  Dr.  De  Costa,  after  the  service,  said  :  "  I  am 
satisfied  respecting  the  result  of  the  Mission,  which  has 
already  increased  the  fervor  of  my  Vestrymen."  Not  long 
afterward  other  rectors  in  the  city  and  the  Rector  of  St. 
John  the  Evangelist  began  the  prayerful  preparation  for 
the  New  York  Advent  Mission.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bunns's 
Mission  in  this  church  is  described  in  Part  V.,  Chapter  XXI. 

In  the  Church  of  the  Reconciliation,  New  York,  after  a 
short  notice,  the  author  conducted  an  eight  days'  Mission. 


MISSIONS  IN   VARIOUS  CHURCHES.  349 


As  the  former  Minister  had  been  engaged  as  temporary  as- 
sistant at  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  some  of  the  flock 
had  followed  their  old  shepherd.  At  the  Mission  services 
the  congregations  were  not  large,  but  very  attentive.  The 
Mission  changed  the  current  of  thought  respecting  "  chapel 
troubles.'*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins,  the  recently  appointed 
Pastor,  had  much  to  discourage  him.  He  was  equal  to 
the  emergency,  and  soon  troubled  elements  were  calmed. 
Under  his  judicious  ministrations  the  beneficent  agencies 
of  the  chapel  are  again  prosperous.  The  Rev.  Arthur 
Brooks,  D.D.,  the  Rector,  is  deeply  interested  in  whatever 
pertains  to  the  interests  of  the  chapel.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Fair, 
of  Baltimore,  was  the  Missioner  in  this  chapel  during  the 
Advent  Mission.  In  Christ  Chapel,  Brooklyn,  L.  I. — the 
Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft,  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  Hyde,  Minister— 
an  eight  days'  Mission  was  conducted  by  the  author.  All 
the  services  were  well  attended.  The  Minister,  Missioner, 
and  Christian    workers   were   encouraged. 

The  Right  Rev.  C.  Whithead,  D.D.,  invited  the  author 
to  visit  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  to  conduct  a  Lenten  Mission  in  St. 
James'  Church  and  in  St.  Mark's  Church,  south  side. 
After  his  arrival  in  Pittsburg,  before  the  Mission  com- 
menced, he  delivered  a  lecture  in  St.  Andrew's  Church  on 
Church  Life  promoted  through  Parochial  Missions. 

The  managers  of  the  large  mills  kindly  prolonged  the 
dinner-hour  of  hundreds  of  their  employes,  and  ordered 
that  the  steam  be  shut  off,  that,they  might  listen  to  an  ad- 
dress by  the  Missioner.  They  sang  the  hymns  heartily  and 
listened  to  the  addresses  attentively,  at  the  close  of  which 
they  were  invited  to  "  come  to  the  Mission  in  St.  James' 
Church  in  the  evening."  The  Bishop  took  active  part  in 
the  services  in  the  two  churches  named.  The  daily  papers 
published  favorable  reports  of  the  services.  The  Mission 
in  St.  Mark's  Church  was  closed   by  a  discourse  on  Apos- 


350  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

tclic  Succession.  Christians  of  all  names  were  present, 
most  of  whom  believed  in  a  succession,  but  that  their  own 
ministers  are  essential  parts  of  the  ministerial  line. 

The  Bishop,  clergy  and  laity  of  Pittsburg  treated  the 
author  with  very  great  kindness.  The  social  sunshine 
seemed  to  neutralise  the  effect  of  the  smoke  ;  and  he  often 
recalls  the  pleasant  month  that  he  spent  among  his  old  and 
new  friends  in  Pittsburg. 

The  Rector's  report  of  the  Mission  was  published  in  The 
Churchman.  Not  long  ago  he  told  the  Missioner  that  a 
number  of  the  strangers  who  attended  the  services  have 
become  regular  worshippers,  some  of  whom  have  been  con- 
firmed. 

A  sketch  of  parochial  missions  in  Oil  City,  Franklin, 
Bradford,  and  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  is  contained  in  the  Church 
Revived,  Part  IV.,  Chapter  VII. . 


PREFA  TOR  Y  XOTES.  351 


PART    IV. 


PREFATORY  NOTES. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  W.  C.  Magee,  D.D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Peter- 
borough, in  his  sermon  on  "  The  Missionary  Trials  of  the 
Church,"  preached  in  St.  Bride's  Church,  Fleet  Street, 
London,  April  30th,  1868,  said  :  "  It  is  the  awful  privilege 
of  the  Church  of  Christ  that  she  is  called  to  a  share  of  the 
work  of  her  Lord.  The  ministry  of  reconciliation  which 
He  has  committed  to  us  is  still  His  ministry  on  earth.  The 
mission  of  ambassadors  for  God  to  man,  on  which  He 
entered  in  the  days  of  His  flesh,  He  is  accomplishing  still 
through  His  Church  by  the  Spirit.  As  the  Father  dwelt, 
in  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead,  in  Him  whom  He  sent 
into  the  world,  so  does  Christ,  in  all  the  fulness  of  His 
Divine  Sonship,  still  dwell  in  His  mystical  body,  the 
Church.  The  Word  is  still  flesh,  still  tabernacles  among 
men,  still  manifests  through  human  form  the  glory  of  God, 
and  speaks,  with  human  voice,  the  message  of  God's  love 
— '  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  ; '  '  Preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature  ; '  here  is  the  Word  that  clothes  the  Church  of  Christ 
with  His  prophetical  office,  '  Behold,  I  am  with  you  al- 
ways ;  '  he  that  heareth  you  heareth  me  ;  here  is  the  Word 
that  tells  her  that  her  voice  of  prophecy  is  still  His  voice. 
So  when,  as  ambassadors  for  Christ,  we  beseech  men,  it  is 


352  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

as  though  God  did  beseech  them  by  us  ;  when  we  pray 
them  in  Christ's  stead  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  we  are 
working  together  with  Christ.  It  is  us,  with  us,  that 
Christ,  for  whom  we  wrork,  is  working  for  and  with  God. 

"  This  is  an  awful  privilege  !  A  privilege,  because  with 
the  work  of  our  Lord  we  inherit  His  reward.  .  .  .  But  it 
is  an  awful  privilege  ;  for  to  share  the  work  of  Christ  is  to 
share  His  trial  and  His  temptation.  His  work  is  warfare. 
It  .is  invasion  of  the  kingdom  of  Satan  by  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  it  provokes  still  all  the  deadly  enmity  of  Satan 
that  it  provoked  at  the  first.  The  servant  is  as  his  Mas- 
ter. .  .  .  And  just  so  far  as  our  work  is  identical  with  His, 
the  nature  of  our  trial  will  be  identical  too.  The  closer 
the  disciple  draws  to  his  Lord,  the  nearer  does  the  tempter 
draw  near  to  Him.  The  more  the  presence  of  the  Lord  fills 
His  Church,  the  more  does  that  presence  attract  the  fiercer 
assaults  of  the  enemy. 

(i  And  if  this  be  so,  then  it  follows  that  the  missionary 
work  of  His  Church  must  have  its  special  dangers  and 
temptations.  It  is  so  entirely  work  for  Christ,  it  is  so  truly 
work  for  the  doing  of  which  His  presence  is  so  specially 
promised,  that  in  it  she  must  expect  especial  assaults  of  the 
tempter,  and  must  need  against  these  a  double  portion  of 
the  Spirit  of  her  Lord.  .  .  .  Work  for  Christ  is  successful 
just  in  proportion  as  it  is  done  in  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  .  .  . 
Our  mission  is  indeed  divine  ;  and  when  we  meet  to  record 
our  vows  of  dedication,  and  hope  to  return  each  to  his  own 
work  in  the  ministry  wherever  God  hath  cast  it,  with  a 
fresh  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  with  a  brighter,  clearer  vision 
of  the  open  heaven  and  the  glory,  of  Him  who  stands  at 
God's  right  hand,  with  a  deeper  echo  in  our  hearts  of  that 
voice  which  speaks  to  us  in  every  new  triumph  of  the  cross, 
4  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  Him,'  now  should  we 
especially  remember  that  the  tempter  and  accuser  will  as- 


/ » ft  /■:  !■'.  I  7  ■( ) A'  Y  NO  TES.  353 


suredly  be  present  too  ;  now  especially  have  we  need  to 
listen  not  only  to  the  voice  which  speaks  from  heaven 
words  of  approval  and  encouragement,  but  to  the  voice 
that  speaks  from  the  wilderness  words  of  loving  warning 
and  counsel.  .  .  .  The  ambition  of  the  Church  is  not  to 
win  the  world  by  surrendering  the  faith,  but  to  win  souls 
by  proclaiming  the  faith. 

11  Pray  for  the  Church  of  Christ  in  this  her  last  trial,  that 
she  may  have  grace  to  be  faithful  ;  grace  to  hold  fast  in  all 
its  integrity  the  treasure  Christ  has  given  her  for  the  world — 
the  faith  committed  to  the  saints.  .  .  .  Her  life  is  the  Word 
of  the  Lord  ;  pray  that  she  may  never  prefer  life  to  the 
Word.  Her  power  is  in  the  promised  presence  of  her  Lord 
in  all  her  ways  ;  pray  that  she  may  never  claim  the  prom- 
ise while  she  errs  from  the  appointed  way.  Her  glory  is 
in  the  loyal  worship  and  service  of  the  Lord  her  God  ; 
pray  that  she  may  never  seek  to  win  a  present  triumph  by 
disloyal  homage  to  His  enemy  and  hers  ;  pray  that  she 
may  be  delivered  from  the  spirit  of  cowardly,  unbelieving 
selfishness  by  the  spirit  of  brave,  self-sacrificing  faith  ;  from 
the  spirit  of  presumption  by  the  spirit  of  Godly  fear  ;  from 
the  spirit  of  false  ambition  by  the  spirit  of  true  loyalty. 
So,  against  the  wiles  of  the  tempter  may  she  be  able  to-  stand 
fast  in  the  Lord,  and  having  done  all,  stand  in  His  name 
and  for  the  sake  and  in  the  power  and  spirit  of  her  Lord."  * 

The  earnest  and  fervent  Bishop  of  Peterborough  is  still 
actively  working  for  "  Christ  and  the  Church.' '  He  is  not 
afraid  of  holy  enthusiasm  and  regulated  fervor.  In  view  of 
the  fears  that  rectors  and  missioners  are  becoming  "  sensa- 


*  Mr,  Thomas  Whittaker  has  published  the  volume  of  Dr.  Magee's 
sermons,  entitled,  "  The  Gospel  of  the  Age  ;  "  and  if  more  of  the  clergy 
were  aware  of  its  great  value,  the  edition  would  soon  be  exhausted,  and 
a  larger  edition  needed. 


354  THE  CHURCH  REVIVED. 

tional,*'  he  delivered  a  lecture  on  Sensationalism.  Re- 
specting those  who  pray  : 

"  Give  tongues  of  fire  and  hearts  of  love 
To  preach  the  reconciling  word  ; 
Give  power  and  unction  from  above, 
Where'er  the  joyful  sound  is  heard." 

The  Bishop  wisely  said  :  ' '  Let  us  not  try  to  put  a  hand  of  ice 
upon  their  lips  of  holy  fire."  In  behalf  of  those  who  earnest- 
ly "  seek  for  Christ's  sheep  who  are  scattered  abroad,  and  for 
His  children  who  are  in  the  midst  of  this  naughty  world,  that 
they  may  be  saved  through  Christ  forever,"  archbishops 
and  bishops,  rectors  and  missioners,  are  fervently  praying  : 
"  Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  who  hast  given  to 
us  Thy  only  and  most  dearly-beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  to 
be  our  Redeemer  and  the  Author  of  everlasting  life  ;  who 
after  He  had  made  perfect  our  redemption  by  His  death, 
and  was  ascended  into  heaven,  and  who  sent  abroad  into 
the  world  His  apostles,  prophets,  evangelists,  doctors,  and 
pastors  for  the  salvation  of  mankind  ;  we  render  unto  Thee 
most  hearty  thanks,  we  praise  and  worship  Thee  ;  and  we 
humbly  beseech  Thee  that  we  may  continue  to  show  our- 
selves thankful  for  these  and  all  Thy  other  benefits,  and 
that  we  may  daily  increase  and  go  forward  in  the  knowl- 
edge and  faith  of  Thee  and  Thy  Son,  so  that  Thy  holy 
Name  may  be  forever  glorified  and  Thy  blessed  kingdom 
enlarged  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  who  liveth  and 
reigneth  with  Thee  in  the  unity  of  the  same  Holy  Spirit, 
world  without  end.     Amen." 


THE  STEAMSHIP  CITY  OF  ROME. 


CHAPTER    1. 

THE    STEAMSHIP    CITY    OF    ROME. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Freshman — The  Conversion  of  His  Father — Re- 
ligious Discussion — Services  in  the  Grand  Salooti — Devout 
Thanksgiving  —Safe  Arrival  in  Liverpool. 

When  the  author  and  his  son  Clarence  crossed  the  ocean, 
the  Rev.  J.  Freshman  was  one  of  the  agreeable  passen- 
gers, and  they  often  conversed  respecting  the  relationship 
of  the  descendants  of  Abraham  to  the  Christian  Church. 
They  did  not  on  all  points  agree  respecting  the  interpretation 
of  several  of  the  Messianic  prophecies,  but  they  differed  in  a 
spirit  of  "  brotherly  love,"  and  uttered  no  anathemas  on 
Jews  or  Gentiles,  Turks  or  infidels  !  Rabbi  Freshman's 
son  Jacob  was  born  in  Hungary,  April  14th,  1844.  When 
he  was  twelve  years  of  age  his  father  was  officially  trans- 
ferred to  Canada,  as  the  duly  appointed  rabbi  of  the  Jewish 
Synagogue  in  Quebec.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  his  son  was 
confirmed  by  his  father  in  the  Jewish  Synagogue  at  Quebec. 

By  a  series  of  extraordinary  providences  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Freshman  was  moved  to  embrace  Christ  as  the  true  Mes- 
siah. Heat  once  used  his  influence  to  lead  the.  members 
of  his  household  to  accept  Him  as  the  only  Saviour.  The 
grace  of  God  triumphed  over  Jewish  prejudice,  and  trans- 
formed opponents  into  sincere  disciples  of  the  predicted 
"  Shiloh."  The  converted  rabbi  "  was  honored  by  being 
appointed  the  first  Wesleyan  missionary  to  the  Germans  in 
Canada." 


356  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


*One  of  the  first  members  of  the  family  to  follow  in  his 
father's  footsteps  was  the  lad  Jacob,  for  having  diligently 
perused  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures,  the  Holy  Spirit 
made  him  see  clearly  that  Jesus  is  truly  the  Son  of  God. 
Subsequently  he  attended  the  fervent  evangelical  preach- 
ing of  the  Rev.  J.  Elliott,  at  the  Wesleyan  Church  in 
Quebec,  and  it  was  through  his  instrumentality  that  he 
was  led  to  see  himself  a  sinner.  For  a  considerable  time 
his  experiences  were  most  painful,  and  to  him  the  future 
seemed  without  a  ray  of  hope.  Often  did  he  lie  upon  the 
ground  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  calling  upon  God 
for  mercy,  and  when  the  terrible  storm  ceased  and  his  bur- 
den of  sin  departed,  he  rejoiced  with  joy  unspeakable  and 
full  of  glory. 

A  love  for  the  souls  of  the  unsaved  around  him  now  filled 
Mr.  Freshman  with  an  intense  enthusiasm.  His  first  efforts 
were  in  the  Sunday-school,  but  his  qualifications  clearly  in- 
dicated that  God  had  fitted  and  intended  him  for  service  in 
a  wider  field.  He  was  soon  made  a  class-leader,  and  even- 
tually constrained  by  his  father  to  stand  up  in  his  pulpit  at 
Hamilton,  where  Dr.  Freshman  was  then  located,  to  preach 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

One  day  Dr.  Freshman  received  a  telegram  from  Mon- 
treal, summoning  him  to  a  missionary  breakfast.  His  com- 
pliance necessitated  his  absence  from  home  on  the  Sunday, 
and  it  was  suggested  to  him  that  his  son  Jacob  might 
perhaps  occupy  his  pulpit  on  that  day.  "  It  is  true,"  says 
the  good  Doctor,  "  he  was  only  eighteen  years  of  age  ;  but 
I  knew  he  had  a  mind  equal  to  the  emergency,  notwith- 
standing his  youth.  When  I  mentioned  the  subject  to  him 
he  thougnt  I  was  beside  myself.  I  continued  to  urge  him 
until  near  midnight,  and  in  a  few  hours  I  was  to  start  on 
my  journey.  At  length  he  reluctantly  consented."  Al- 
though he  had  been  unable  to  make  any  preparation,  the 


THE  STEAMSHIP  CITY  OF  ROME. 


young  man's  ministrations  gave  unbounded  gratification 
to  the  people,  and  were  enriched  by  the  blessing  of  God. 

He  was  next  duly  appointed  as  a  regular  local  preacher 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rice,  and  shortly  afterward  entered  the 
regular  ministry,  in  which  his  experience  has  been  very 
varied.  The  Rev.  J.  Freshman,  our  fellow-passenger,  had 
the  most  satisfactory  credentials  and  the  highest  commen- 
dations to  eminent  Christians  in  England  who  are  interested 
for  the  welfare  of  Jews. 

On  the  day  of  sailing,  through  a  heavy  fog,  the  City  of 
Rome  ran  aground,  and  her  great  engines  were  powerless 
to  propel  her  into  a  place  of  safety.  At  high  tide  on  the 
following  day  several  powerful  steamers  and  tug-boats 
succeeded  in  slowly  drawing  the  huge  vessel  into  deeper 
waters  ;  and  beneath  a  bright  sky  she  proceeded  on  her 
voyage.  When  practicable  to  have  public  worship  in  the 
large  saloon,  the  passengers  rejoiced  that  the  steamer  had 
been  in  no  way  damaged  and  no  passenger  injured.  From 
many  grateful  hearts  the  prayer  ascended  :  "  O  most 
mighty  and  gracious  God,  Thy  mercy  is  over  all  Thy  works. 
.  .  .  Thou  hast  shown  us  how  both  winds  and  seas  obey 
Thy  command,  that  we  may  learn  even  from  them,  here- 
after, to  obey  Thy  voice  and  to  do  Thy  will.  .  .  .  And,  we 
beseech  Thee,  give  us  such  a  sense  of  this  great  mercy  as 
may  engage  us  to  a  true  thankfulness,  such  as  may  appear 
in  our  lives  by  a  humble,  holy,  and  obedient  walking  before 
Thee  all  our  days  ;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  to 
whom,  with  Thee  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  be  all  glory  and 
honor,  world  without  end.      Amen." 

At  our  church  service  on  Sunday  in  the  ladies'  cabin,  the 
Rev.  J.  Freshman  was  among  those  who  said  "Amen"  and 
the  "  Gloria' '  and  the  "  Creed  "  in  a  tone  that  was  audible  ; 
and  special  mention  was  made  by  passengers  of  the  fervor 
of  the  Church  service. 


358  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    AUTHOR    AGAIN    IN    OLD    ENGLAND. 

The  Guest  of  cut  Old  Frie?id —  The  Scene  of  Former  Labors — 
"The  Grave  of  Bertie  s  Mother'" — Rustic  Politeness  Remem- 
bered—Hasty Visits  to  Many  Places —  The  Death  of  the 
Author  s  Mother. 

Through  God's  watch-care  the  City  of  Rome  safely  arrived 
in  Liverpool,  and  the  author  and  his  son  Clarence  William 
became  the  guests  of  William  King,  Esq.,  at  his  beautiful 
residence  at  Bromborough,  Cheshire.  Years  before,  in  the 
chapel  attached  to  the  residence  of  Mrs.  King's  venerated 
father,  H.  Vale,  Esq.,  the  author  held  evangelistic  services. 
His  daughter,  Mrs.  Bradley,  the  authoress  of  interesting 
books  for  children,  and  known  as  "  Bertie's  Mother,"  the 
author  baptized  by  immersion, and  also  her  daughter  Emma. 
She  was  an  eloquent  Bible-ieader,  and  liberal  to  the  poor, 
whom  she  faithfully  instructed.  When  about  to  "  depart 
this  life,"  a  friend  who  was  anxious  that  she  "  leave  a  dying 
testimony,"  received  from  the  dying  Christian  this  answer  : 
"  My  life  is  my  testimony."  It  was  truly  so  ;  for  while 
she  lived  in  her  father's  elegant  mansion,  surrounded  with 
verdant  lawns  and  beautiful  flowers,  in  order  to  save  more 
money  to  aid  the  poor,  she  allowed  herself  but  one  best 
dress  each  year,  but  she  always  looked  "  stylish."  With 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  King,  the  author  and  his  son  visited  her  grave 
in    Neston    Churchyard,    and     the    graves    of     "  Bertie," 


i 


THE  AUTHl »A'  . / U. / IN  IN  OLD  ENGLAND.  359 


"Ernie,"    "Clara,"    and    "Emma,"    and    read    on    their 
tombstone  the  eulogistic  but  true  inscription. 

The  author,  aided  by  friends  from  Liverpool,  years  ago, 
held  a  series  of  evangelistic  services  in  the  chapel  at  Neston. 
Several  persons,  through  God's  blessing,  were  converted. 
A  great  religious  interest  was  awakened,  and  at  some  of 
the  services  the  chapel  was  so  crowded  that  not  another 
person  could  find  standing  room.  As  an  instance  of  the 
genuine  politeness  of  "  village  rustics,"  he  here  records  an 
act  of  unsolicited  kindness  :  "  On  our  way  to  Neston  on  a 
dark  evening  the  horse  stumbled  against  a  stone,  and  be- 
came frightened.  After  one  of  the  evening  services  a 
number  who  were  present  soon  had  their  lanterns  ready, 
and  followed  on  each  side  of  the  carriage,  that  the  coach- 
man might  seethe  stones  in  the  road,  turn  aside,  and  avoid 
an  accident.  Though  not  in  any  book  on  etiquette,  was 
not  this  real  politeness  ?" 

The  author,  accompanied  by  his  son  Clarence  and  Mr. 
King,  visited  the  ancient  Cathedral  at  Chester,  which  was 
undergoing  repairs  and  decorations.  The  "  quiet  colors" 
of  the  costumes  of  the  worshippers  resembled  a  flower  gar- 
den without  tulips  or  roses.  English  ladies  do  not  wear  their 
drawing-room  or  opera  attire  in  places  of  worship.  The 
services  were  devotional  and  the  sermon  was  instructive. 
When  a  new  clergyman  had  been  appointed  to  one  of  the 
cures  in  this  old  city  of  the  Romans,  the  present  Bishop 
was  asked  :  "  What  do  you  think  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 's  doc- 
trinal views  ?"  The  cautious  Bishop  said  :  "  I  think  that 
he  is  nearly  six  feet  in  height  !"  After  the  service  in  the 
Cathedral  they  heard  the  band  of  the  Salvation  Army  in  the 
streets,  and  went  to  their  "  barracks."  They  were  very 
earnest,  and  spoke  and  prayed  with  fervor,  and,  like  the 
"  old-fashioned  Methodists,"  looked  around  for  sinners 
who  were  willing  to  be  prayed   for,  and   to  be  told   in  the 


360  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

prayer  or  words  that  followed  how  to  come  to  Christ,  who 
would  forgive  all  their  sins  then  and  there,  and  send  them 
home  singing,  "  Glory,  Hallelujah  !'; 

The  author  while  in  England  accompanied  his  son  to  the 
principal  cities,  as  he  might  never  again  have  the  opportu- 
nity. They  visited  museums,  picture-galleries,  cathedrals, 
and  other  places  of  interest,  so  that  when  they  retired  for 
the  night  they  could  fall  asleep  without  an  anodyne.  They 
visited  Westminster  Abbey,  and  asked  the  verger  to  direct 
them  where  to  see  the  monument  to  the  Wesleys.  But  when 
they  saw  beneath  the  marble  bust  of  John  Wesley  the  sen- 
tence, "  The  World  is  my  Parish,"  they  were  surprised,  for 
the  reasons  mentioned  in  "  The  Church  Revived, "  Part  I., 
Chapter  VI. ,  page  25. 

Clarence  was  pleased  to  see  the  Houses  of  Parliament, 
which  his  father  had,  on  former  visits,  seen  again  and  again. 

1 '  The  House  of  Lords  differs  from  the  House  of  Commons 
in  many  respects  beyond  that  of  the  hereditary  principle. 
The  two  chambers  are  in  their  physical  aspects  wholly  dis- 
similar. In  the  House  of  Commons  no  effort  has  been 
made  to  achieve  grandeur  or  even  dignity  of  appearance. 
It  is  literally  a  workshop,  and  is  rigorously  plain  and  busi- 
ness-like in  ail  its  arrangements.  Many  people  who  visit 
the  House  of  Commons  for  the  first  time  express  surprise 
at  the  smallness  of  the  chamber.  The  assembly  fills  so 
large  a  place  in  the  mind  of  the  world  that,  unconsciously, 
strangers  imagine  a  magnificent  hall  of  broad  and  lofty 
proportions.  The  House  of  Lords  will  more  nearly  gratify 
expectation  of  this  character.  It  is  a  handsome,  roomy 
chamber,  dowered  with  the  soft,  rich  light  that  strays 
through  stained-glass  windows.  In  the  Commons  every 
inch  of  space  on  the  Moor  of  the  House  is  impressed  into 
the  service  of  members.  Under  the  gallery  by  the  door 
there  is  a  row  of  benches  which  will  accommodate  a  score 


THE  AUTHOR  AGAIN  IN  OLD  ENGLAND,  361 


or  so  of  strangers.  Otherwise  no  stranger  may  appear  on 
the  tioor  of  the  House  while  it  is  in  session.  In  the  Lords, 
at  either  end,  there  are  comparatively  roomy  spaces  for 
strangers.  Ladies  are  admitted  to  little  pens  near  the  bar, 
and  members  of  the  Commons  are  at  liberty  to  enter  at 
will  and  take  up  standing  room  in  this  part  of  the  House. 

"  At  the  other  end,  where  the  throne  stands,  there  is  space 
reserved  for  Privy  Councillors  and  the  eldest  sons  of  peers. 
Mr.  Gladstone,  on  the  rare  occasions  of  his  visits  to  the 
House  of  Lords,  does  not  stand  within  the  rails,  his  favorite 
position  being  at  the  corner  of  the  bench  where  the  bishops 
sit.  It  was  here,  leaning  upon  the  edge  of  the  bench,  he 
heard  Lord  Salisbury's  speech  which  settled  the  fate  of  the 
Franchise  Bill  in  the  autumn  session  of  1884.  On  great 
occasions  Sir  William  Harcourt,  Sir  Michael  Beach,  Sir 
Richard  Cross,  and  other  Privy  Councillors  congregate 
behind  the  rail  which  guards  the  throne.  I  never  saw  Mr. 
Chamberlain  availing  himself  of  the  privilege  of  listening 
to  a  debate  in  the  Lords.  He  probably  thinks  his  time 
might  be  more  usefully  employed. 

"  While  the  chamber  of  the  House  of  Lords  is  more  im- 
posing to  look  at,  it  is  not  nearly  so  easy  to  speak  in  as  its 
more  modest  neighbor.  The  House  of  Commons  was  not 
always  endowed  with  the  acoustic  properties  which  now 
make  it  one  of  the  best  chambers  for  debating  purposes 
the  world  possesses.  When  the  Commons  first  met  in  their 
new  home  it  was  found  almost  impossible  for  a  man  to 
make  himself  heard.  All  kinds  of  devices  were  tried,  and 
finally  the  expedient  of  the  glass  roof  was  hit  upon.  It  is 
among  the  things  not  generally  known  that  the  glass  ceil- 
ing of  the  House  of  Commons  hides  a  noble  roof  upon 
which  skilled  carvers  bestowed  infinite  care.  The  Com- 
mons had  to  consider  whether  they  would  retain  the  fair 
proportions  of  their  chamber  or  sacrifice  them   to  utility. 


362 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


They  chose  the  latter  course,  and  so  the  beautiful  roof  is 
hidden  away.  Possibly  a  similar  sacrifice  of  ornamentation 
might  bring  about  equally  desirable  results  in  the  House 
of  Lords.  But  the  Lords  stick  to  their  architectural  endow- 
ments, and  let  their  speeches  take  their  chance."* 

In  the  Visitors'  Gallery,  the  author  had  his  note-book, 
and  was  writing  notes.  Instantly  he  heard  a  hissing  whistle, 
looked  around  to  see  who  was  misbehaving,  but  was  amazed 
to  learn  he  was  the  transgressor  !  The  speeches  of  the 
members  are  carefully  trimmed  by  skilful  Parliament  re- 
porters before  they  are  sent  to  the  newspapers.  As  no 
visitor  is  allowed  to  take  notes,  he  cannot  make  an  inac- 
curate report  of  any  speech  or  even  a  single  sentence,  or 
"  compare  notes"  with  what  is  published  in  the  "  dailies." 

The  author's  son  was  more  interested  in  what  he  saw  in 
the  old  Tower  of  London,  and  the  British  Museum,  and 
the  Fisheries,  and  the  Menageries  than  in  the  Houses  of  Par- 
liament. He  also  went  with  Clarence  to  the  Royal  Albert 
Hall  when  ten  thousand  people  were  therein  listening  to 
the  prima-donnas  of  the  musical  world,  but  had  walked 
so  many  miles,  that  they  were  too  tired  to  enjoy  the  concert. 
They  also  visited  Ireland,  Scotland,  France,  and  Wales, 
and  saw  the  principal  objects  of  interest.  In  Landudno, 
Clarence  was  pleased  with  the  picturesque  scenery,  but 
more  pleased  to  ride  in  a  Welsh  bathing-carriage  and  to 
swim  like  a  fish  in  the  waters  of  this  fashionable  bathing 
resort.  At  Bangor  they  attended  service  in  a  Welsh 
church  and  at  the  ancient  Cathedral  ;  also  attended  one 
of  a  series  of  evangelistic  services  on  ground  fitted  up  to 
accommodate  many  thousands  of  Welsh  Christians  ;  but 
as  they  could  only  understand  the  "  Amens,"  they  could 
only    appreciate    the    musical  voices  of  the  singers  or  the 


H.  W.  Lury. 


/■///■:  AUTHOR  AGAIN  IN  OLD  ENGLAND.  363 


speakers.  They  visited  the  ruins  of  ancient  castles  and 
many  objects  of  interest,  the  names  of  which  have  not 
been  mentioned. 

As  the  author's  mother  had  not  seen  either  of  her  grand- 
children born  in  America,  he  took  Clarence  to  see  her,  and 
hired  a  carriage  to  drive  them  to  the  places  of  interest  in 
the  Cathedral  City,  Worcester.  She  was  eighty-four  years 
of  age,  but  without  spectacles  could  read  the  small  print  in 
ta  Bible  which  Clarence  presented  to  her  as  a  parting  re- 
membrance. A  few  months  later  she  was  summoned  to 
depart  from  this  life.  During  her  illness  she  was  very 
weak,  but  retained  the  use  of  all  her  faculties.  When  her 
daughter  Lizzie  arrived,  her  mother  with  a  beaming  face 
said  :  "  Happy,  happy,  happy  !  My  Saviour  is  so  pre- 
cious !"  Within  a  few  days  she  calmly  fell  asleep  ;  and  the 
author's  sister  wrote  him,  that  "  even  after  her  departure 
she  looked  so  peaceful." 

"  Asleep  in  Jesus,  blessed  sleep. 
From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep." 

Flowers  adorn  her  grave,  where  her  dust  reposes,  await- 
ing her  Saviour's  appearing  to  raise  His  righteous  dead, 
and  translate  His  living  saints.  Oh,  how  Providential  that 
we  visited  England  to  see  her  before  her  departure  to  Para- 
dise ! 

"  Oh  change  !  wondrous  change  1 
Burst  are  her  spirit  bars  ; 
One  moment  here  in  mortal  prayer, 
The  next  beyond  the  stars." 


364 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE    AUTHOR    AND    HIS    SON    AT    SURREY    MOUNT. 

St.  Peter  s  Church,  Forest  Hill — The  Faithful  Labors  of  the 
Vicar— The  Bishop  of  London — The  Bishop  of  Rochester — 
The  Bishop  of  Lichfield — Lay  Helpers  Welcomed — The  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury — The  London  Scandal  — The  Purity  So- 
ciety—The  Right  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D. 


Before  the  author  and  his  son  sailed  for  home  they  were 
the  guests  of  F.  J.  Hormman,  Esq.,  at  one  of  his  mansions, 
"  Surrey  Mount,"  Forest  Hill,  near  the  Crystal  Palace, 
Sydenham.  Near  his  magnificent  residence  he  has  a  private 
museum  of  incalculable  value.  Nearly  every  week  he  in- 
vites a  company  to  visit  "  Surrey  House,"  a  former  resi- 
dence, and  with  his  curators  he  takes  great  delight  in  show- 
ing the  visitors  his  numerous  curiosities,  after  which  he 
invites  them  to  il  take  tea."  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hormman  are 
highly  accomplished  and  very  hospitable.  Their  home  is 
an  "earthly  Paradise,"  and  they  take  great  delight  in  mak- 
ing their  guests  happy.  By  invitation  of  the  Vicar,  the 
author  preached  four  sermons  in  St.  Peter's  new  church  to 
large  congregations  ;  but  he  insisted  that  the  preacher  wear 
a  hood  over  his  surplice,  which  did  not  injure  it.  The  Rev. 
W.  Calvert,  the  vicar,  commenced  church  services  in  an  iron 
chapel.  Through  God's  blessing  he  now  has  a  large  con- 
gregation. The  new  church  was  soon  too  small  to  hold 
the  increasing  congregation,  and  the  church  was  length- 
ened, without  destroying  the  harmony  of    its  proportions. 


THE  A  I '  Tin  )R  A  T  SURRE  V  J/0  UNT.  366 

F.  J.  ITormman,  Esq.,  liberally  gave  one  thousand  pounds 
Sterling  to  complete  the  spire.  At  the  reception  of  the 
Lord  Bishop  of  Rochester,  at  Grace  House,  Broadway, 
when  the  author  said  he  had  officiated  for  the  Vicar  of 
St.  Peter's  Church  in  his  diocese,  the  Bishop  pleasantly  an- 
swered :  "  Yes  ;  but  since  that  time  I  have  consecrated  the 
church."  The  Rev.  Vicar  is  also  the  patron.  He  has 
commenced  church  services  in  a  hall  or  chapel  about  a  mile 
distant,  and  the  old  iron  church,  in  which  St.  Peter's 
parish  was  born,  is  now  used  for  lectures  and  a  school. 

LAY  HELPERS  NOW  WELCOMED. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  London  laments  that  the  proportion 
of  numerous  new  churches  in  his  vast  diocese  has  been 
little  more  than  one  church  to  every  six  thousand  of  the 
added  population  during  the  time  of  their  erection.  To 
bring  the  numerical  force  of  the  clergy  theoretically  into 
anything  like  due  proportion  to  the  souls  in  his  diocese, 
two  hundred  more  are  needed.  The  Bishop  admits  that  in 
a  national  Church  all  persons  in  his  diocese  have  a  right  to 
her  services,  to  a  place  in  her  churches,  and  to  the  ministry 
of  her  clergy.  Because  for  many  thousands  the  Bishop  has 
neither  churches  in  which  they  may  assemble  nor  minis- 
ters to  serve  them,  he  gladly  received  the  aid  of  devoted 
laymen.  But  though  his  Association  of  Lay  Helpers  num- 
bers about  five  thousand,  he  laments  that  much  that  ought 
to  be  done  is  still  left  undone. 

In  the  diocese  of  Rochester  there  are  but  about  five  hun- 
dred and  thirty-five  clergymen  for  a  population  of  one 
million  eight  hundred  thousand  !  Some  of  the  single  par- 
ishes have  souls  enough  for  the  care  of  thirty  ministers. 
One  parish  includes  thirty-three  thousand  souls,  another 
thirty  thousand,  and  others  descend  from  twenty-five  thou- 
sand to  less  than  one  thousand  !     Bishop  Thorold,  awTare 


366  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

that  no  rector  can  minister  to  thirty-three  thousand 
souls,  and  must  leave  essential  work  undone,  formed  a 
diocesan  society  of  missionary  clergymen  and  lay  helpers 
to  co-operate  with  the  rectors  and  vicars  in  meeting  the 
soul  wants  of  the  multitudes  for  a  season,  by  the  national 
Church,  wholly  neglected.  And  that  multitudes  for  whom 
Christ  died  might  no  longer  be  left  to  perish,  other  bishops, 
as  in  the  Primitive  Church,  have  made  "  lay  ministrations 
canonical." 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  Lichfield  speaks  with  much  apprecia- 
tion of  the  work  of  lay  evangelists  in  his  diocese,  and,  with 
other  bishops,  he  believes  these  laymen  will  add  to  the 
efficiency  of  the  Church  of  England  in  reaching  the  masses. 

THE    CHURCH    OF    ENGLAND'S    WORKINGMEN's    SOCIETY. 

In  the  fall  of  1885  the  ninth  anniversary  of  this  society 
was  held  in  London.  The  Bishops  of  Southwell  and  Col- 
chester were  among  the  preachers  on  the  occasion.  The 
annual  meeting  was  large  and  enthusiastic.  The  Presi- 
dent's address  said  the  society  had  at  last  entered  upon 
its  legitimate  work  in  the  home  mission  field.  A  great  and 
good  work  had  already  been  done,  but  members  must  not 
rest  satisfied  with  it.  The  branches  must  enlist  every  avail- 
able  assistance  to  carry  out  a  daily,  steady,  persistent  con- 
flict between  holiness  and  unholiness,  purity  and  unclean- 
ness,  sanitary  arrangements  and  reeking  foulness,  cheerful, 
healthy,  elevating  amusements  and  public-house  singing, 
saloons  and  low-typed  music-halls  ;  by  holding  out  the 
helping  hand  in  time  of  need,  not  pauperizing  honest  pov- 
erty, or  encouraging  rags,  dirt,  and  debauchery  with  "  con- 
current endowments"  in  the  shape  of  ill-advised  charity. 
The  well-mended,  scrupulously  clean  garment  often  cov- 
ered an  aching  heart  and  real  poverty,  which,  if  by  timely 
help  were  once  placed  on  firm  ground,  would  fight  its  own 


THE  AUTHOR  A  T  Si  rRRE  Y  MOUN  T.  367 

battle  ;  but  it  was  one  of  the  mistakes  of  the  present  day 
to  suppose  that  rags  and  grime  and  a  pitiful  whine  was  the 
sure  proof  of  want  and  necessity.  To  do  such  work  was 
not  so  difficult  now  as  it  had  been  in  times  past,  for  lay 
work  and  lay  help  were  more  than  ever  recognized,  and 
scarce  a  Diocesan  Conference  meets  but  the  layman's  place 
in  the  economy  of  the  Church's  work  demanded  their  at- 
tention  and  met  their  approval. 

LAY    HELP    NOT    TO    BE    FEARED. 

There  need  be  no  trembling  terror  at  lay  help.  The  as- 
sertion of  itself  was  but  the  result  of  the  Church's  renewed 
life,  and  must  be  met  and  utilized  ;  it  could  not  be  set 
aside.  The  fear  that  it  would  not  be  kept  within  bounds 
was  an  idle  and  unworthy  one,  for  as  men  read,  thought, 
and  realized  the  teaching  of  the  Church,  the  Prayer-Book, 
and  the  Bible,  they  had  less  desire  to  assume  an  extreme 
attitude  or  overstep  the  bounds  of  decency  and  order.  He 
spoke  confidently  and  with  knowledge  when  he  said  : 
11  There  is  no  desire  on  the  part  of  the  laity  of  the  Church 
in  general,  and  of  the  members  of  the  Church  of  England 
Workingmen's  Society  in  particular,  to  carry  the  Ark  of 
God."  They  had  sense  enough  to  know  that  God  had 
chosen  men  from  among  men  for  that  sacred  office  ;  neither 
would  they  incur  the  sin  of  presumption  by  putting  forth 
their  hands  to  steady  it  if  they  thought  it  in  danger  ;  but 
they  did  claim  the  right  to  tell  their  fellow-men  what  the 
Lord  hath  done  for  their  own  souls,  and  in  plain,  every- 
day language  tell  of  the  danger  of  sin  and  that  safety  which 
is  in  the  Saviour.  He  had  for  years  been  a  worker  in  the 
vineyard,  but  never  without  sanction,  and  he  challenged 
any  one  to  say  he  ever  sought  to  intrude  upon  the  ' '  priest's 
office."  To  his  lay  brethren  he  would  say  :  "  Be  faithful 
and  true  ;"  to  the  clergy  he  would  say  :  "  Trust  us." 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


In  their  anxiety  to  be  used  as  laborers  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard they  only  wished  to  "  work  on  Church  lines."  They 
were  only  anxious  to  "  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is  the 
good  way,  and  walk  therein."  And  they  were  convinced 
this  could  be  carried  out  within  the  Church's  lines,  yet  free 
of  the  stiffness  and  the  killing  respectability  begotten  of 
the  hard,  iron  conformity  that  had  said  "  Dearly  beloved 
brethren"  to  empty  or  nearly  empty  churches  for  over  two 
hundred  years. 

THE    PRIMATE    ON    RESCUE    WORK. 

The  following  address  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
was  distributed  at  a  meeting  of  the  Church  of  England 
Purity  Society,  in  Princes'  Hall,  London,  in  the  fall  of  1885  : 

•'  It  will  not  be  possible  for  me  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
the  Church  of  England  Purity  Society  on  August  6th,  but 
I  wish  to  be  allowed  to  address  a  few  words  to  you  on  the 
immediate  work  of  our  society.  Its  objects  are  unchanged 
— namely  :  (1)  purity  among  men  ;  (2)  a  chivalrous  respect 
for  womanhood  ;  (3)  preservation  of  the  young  from  con- 
tamination ;  (4)  rescue  work  ;  (5)  a  higher  tone  of  public 
opinion.  But  it  has  received  fresh  stimulus  as  a  society 
from  what  has  lately  happened  ;  and  its  objects  are  already 
seen  to  be  less  negative  than  some  had  supposed.  It  has 
been  already  made  known  that  I  was  unable  to  approve  of 
some  of  the  modes  recently  adopted  for  obtaining  a  knowl- 
edge of  certain  facts,  or  of  the  indiscriminate  diffusion  of 
such  knowledge.  Nevertheless,  all  England  is  now  in  pos- 
session of  facts  said  to  have  been  long  known.  If  so,  the 
knowledge  was  certainly  restricted.  But,  restricted  or  not, 
the  time  has  already  come  to  act  upon  it  ;  and  now  it  has 
been  thrown  on  us  to  consider  at  once  what  ought  to  be 
done.  It  has  been  brought  out  that  there  is  a  close  alliance 
between  voluptuous  passion  and  brutish  cruelty.     Selfish- 


THE  AUTHOR  A  T  SURREY  MOUNT. 


ness  in  this  form  soon  reaches  a  condition  in  which  it  does 
no:  shrink  from  inflicting  any  amount  of  wrong,  from  spoil- 
ing the  whole  future  of  its  victims,  and  from  multiplying 
the  number  of  them  indefinitely.  Moreover,  it  actively 
demoralizes  the  parental  and  family  instincts.  The  evil- 
doing  is  confined  to  no  one  class  of  the  community.  Its 
agencies  are  systematic  and  busy  and  bold,  and  have 
hitherto  escaped  the  law.  We  recognize  in  this  state  of 
things  certain  well-known  elements  of  the  decline  of  nations 
in  the  past.  The  anxieties  are  alive  of  Christians,  of  citi- 
zens, and  of  families.  I  cannot  feel  sorry  that  this  meet- 
ing is  held  a  little  later  than  the  main  excitement.  No 
solid  efforts  have  been  wanting  in  the  Church  to  secure  the 
objects  which  that  excitement  aims  at,  as  to  the  improve- 
ment of  the  laws,  and  still  more  of  their  administration, 
and  as  to  remedial  measures.  A  demonstration  like  this 
is  for  the  Church  only  an  episode  in  its  constant  work. 
The  refuges  and  homes,  the  persons  and  communities,  and 
the  amount  of  money  devoted  to  the  work  as  hitherto 
understood  are  very  numerous  and  large.  Of  late  few  if 
any  dioceses  have  omitted  to  place  the  subject  of  social 
purity  in  the  forefront  of  their  conferences  and  efforts.  It 
is  accordingly  the  duty  of  the  Church  now  to  convert  to 
practical  advance  what  might  otherwise  be  a  momentary 
horror  not  unmixed  with  danger,  and  to  elevate  the  tone  of 
the  nation  upon  moral  questions." 

11  The  White  Cross  Society,"  formed  by  the  Bishop  of 
Durham,  England,  three  years  ago,  has  branches  in 
America  ;  and  the  second  anniversary  of  branch  No.  i  was 
held  in  the  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  New  York 
City,  February   14th,  1886. 

THE    RT.    REV.    H.     C.    POTTER,    D.D.,    OX    PURITY. 

"  It  is  for  this  that  you  are  striving — do  not  forget  it — to 


370  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

rescue  God's  handiwork  out  of  the  devil's  clutches,  and  t( 
lift  it  up  to  be  a  vessel  sanctified  and  meet  for  the  Master': 
use. 

"  Is  there  any  worthier  task  for  Christian  men  and  womei 
than  this  ?  If  the  motive  which  I  have  already  suggeste< 
be  not  sufficient,  let  me  suggest  another.  We  crave,  even 
in  our  most  commonplace  moments,  the  chance  to  do  a 
chivalric  deed,  and  there  are  young  hearts  here  to-night 
that  have  throbbed  and  young  eyes  that  have  glowed  as 
they  have  read  of  the  knightly  courage  and  heroism  of 
those  who,  in  other  and  earlier  ages,  have  rescued  some 
fair  captive  or  snatched  from  deadly  peril  some  young  life 
threatened  by  coarse  and  brutal  hands.  But  is  there 
nothing  like  that  for  us  to-day  ?  Believe  me,  no  knight- 
errant  riding  forth  with  lance  at  rest  had  ever  a  nobler  op- 
portunity than  is  yours  to-night  in  this  great  and  wicked 
city  !  There  are  young  lives  here  that  are  in  peril,  there 
is  guileless  innocence  being  lured  to  ruin,  there  is  wronged 
and  outraged  womanhood  crying  aloud  for  deliverance, 
there  is  purity  being  dishonored  and  ignorance  being 
betrayed,  which,  unless  you  and  others  are  aroused,  will 
soon  be  beyond  all  succor.  I  call  on  )rou  to  awake  to  its 
rescue!  Not  too  soon — alas!  I  had  almost  said,  well 
nigh  too  late— has  the  Church* discerned  the  enormity  of 
the  danger  that  threatens  us.  It  surrounds  us  on  every 
side  ;  it  poisons  our  literature  ;  it  spares  no  age  or  sex  ; 
it  penetrates,  like  some  deadly  miasma,  through  all  our 
accustomed  barriers  of  defence.  And  unless  you  and  I 
are  awakened  to  the  common  peril  it  will  cut  through  and 
rot  to  the  very  core  our  whole  social  fabric." 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  New  York  City, 
of  which  Mr.  McBurney  is  the  efficient  and  much-beloved 
secretary,  also  formed  a  branch  of  the  "  White  Cross 
Army."     At  a  meeting  at   which   the  author  was  present, 


THE  A  UTHOR  A  T  SURRE  I '  Mi  >UNT.  371 


several  speakers  made  interesting  addresses,  including  the 
stirring  address  of  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Clamfett,  the  earnest 
assistant  minister  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cooke,  the  esteemed 
rector  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Church,  New  York  City. 

The  White  Cross  Army  in.  England  and  its  branches  in 
America  are  accomplishing  great  good.  Recently  posted 
on  the  bulletin  of  Columbia  College  was  a  call  for  the 
students  to  assemble  in  order  to  form  a  branch  of  the 
White  Cofo  Armv   and  the  meeting  was  well  attended. 


372  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

HOMEWARD    BOUND    AND    HOME    AGAIN. 

Fellow- Passengers — General  Moore —  Various  Entertainments — 
Dr.  Colly er — Edward  Murphy — Dr.  Freshman — The  First 
Hebrew  Christian  Church  in  New    York. 

The  author  returned  in  the  City  of  Rome  to  his  adopt- 
ed country,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Freshman  was  again  a  fel- 
low-passenger. They  fervently  conversed  respecting  Church 
doctrine  and  polity,  but  the  "  converted  Jew  "  concluded 
to  continue  a  "  good  Methodist,' '  and  the  converted  Gentile 
a  "  Catholic  Churchman,"  and  continue  to  pray  "  for  all 
sorts  and  conditions  of  men,"  and  to  love  "  all  who  call 
themselves  Christians."  On  Sunday  morning  the  author 
conducted  the  Church  service  in  the  cabin  ;  and  among  the 
devout  worshippers  was  Captain  Moore,  chief  of  the  Salva- 
tion Army  in  America,  and  a  subordinate  officer  ;  also  High 
and  Low  Churchmen,  Methodists,  Congregationalists, 
and  Presbyterians.  In  the  afternoon  the  Salvation  Army 
Captain  conducted  a  service  in  the  steerage.  Unwilling 
that  the  ocean's  roar  should  drown  the  voices  of  the* 
speakers  and  neutralize  the  object  of  the  service,  they 
did  indeed  "  cry  aloud,  and  spared  not,  and  lifted  up  their 
voices  like  a  loud  trumpet,"  Still,  if  preachers  can  make 
the  people  hear  the  sermon,  God  does  not  withhold  His 
blessing,  even  if  they  preach  in  the  semi-tone  of  the  Quaker, 
or  thunder  like  Demosthenes,  or  alternate  the  subdued 
tone    with    the  stentorian,  like  the    Boanerges  among  the 


HO  ME  WARP   BOUND  AND  HOME  AGAIN. 

Apostles.     In  the  evening  a  Methodist  minister  preached  a 
sermon  in  the  grand  saloon  on  God's  Protecting  Care. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Collyer,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Mes- 
siah, New  York,  on  a  week-day  evening  delivered  his  in- 
teresting lecture  entitled  "True  Grit."  He  explained 
the  difference  between  "grit"  and  "true  grit"  as  analo- 
gous to  that  between  an  angel  in  heaven  and  an  angel  who 
is  not  in  the  realm  of  light.  The  lecturer's  originality  and 
Yorkshire  accent  added  to  the  interest  of  the  lecture.  No 
charge  was  made  for  admission  to  the  cabin,  but  those  who 
heard  the  common-sense  lecturer  and  saw  the  flashes  of 
wit  in  the  twinkling  of  the  eyes  of  his  happy  face  were 
practically  asked  not  to  go  from  the  cabin  nor  close  their 
eyes  when  the  collectors  approached  them,  expecting  a  con- 
tribution for  the  support  of  disabled  sailors. 

One  evening  professional  musicians  entertained  the  pas- 
sengers by  an  interesting  concert.  Some  played  skilfully 
on  the  saloon  piano,  others  sang  solos,  and  others  recited 
selections  of  prose  or  poetry.  A  temperance  meeting  was 
also  held  in  the  ladies'  saloon,  and  a  thrilling  but  judicious 
address  was  made  by  the  eloquent  Irish  orator,  Mr.  Edward 
Murphy.  He  is  a  master  of  the  emotions,  and  is  at  times 
humorous;  and  when  he  speaks  with  the  "brogue"  he 
incites  a  smile,  if  not  hearty  laughter  ;  also  pathetic  ;  and 
when  his  own  eyes  are  dimmed  by  tears  his  hearers  shed 
tears.  He  can  also  be  consolatory  and  calm  the  aroused 
emotion. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  Freshman,  by  special  request,  gave  one 
of  his  interesting  lectures  on  "  The  Manners  and  Customs 
of  the  Jewish  People."  The  lecturer  wore  the  vestments 
of  a  Jewish  rabbi,  exhibited  articles  used  in  the  ritual  of 
worship,  and  held  up  fringes  of  garments,  phylacteries, 
etc.  We  wished  he  could  have  shown  us  a  temple  trum- 
pet or  "  shawm,"  or  explained  the  shape  of  the  latter.   The 


374 


THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


lecturer,  who  is  a  vigorous  and  entertaining  speaker  and 
a  thorough  master  of  the  English  language,  had  nothing 
but  kind  words  to  speak  of  his  Jewish  brethren,  albeit  he 
differs  with  them  in  religious  belief.  He  interested  the  in- 
tellect by  the  instruction  clearly  imparted  in  pure  English 
diction,  with  a  little  of  his  native  accent.  He  occasionally 
incited  a  smile  as  he  described  some  of  the  ancient  and  the 
modern  customs  of  the  Jews.  He  kept  us  wide  awake  dur- 
ing the  delivery  of  the  lecture,  for  the  enthusiasm  of  his 
forefathers  has  .not  departed  from  all  their  descendants. 
He  told  us  in  "  confidence  "  what  the  Christians  in  Eng- 
land gave  to  aid  him  in  his  efforts  to  lead  some  of  the  eighty 
thousand  Jews  in  New  York  to  accept  Jesus  of  Nazareth  as 
the  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King  foretold  by  Moses  and  the 
prophets.  The  passengers  were  deeply  interested,  and 
highly  appreciated  his  eloquent  lecture.  He  has  labored 
with  all  his  soul  for  the  welfare  of  his  Israelitish  brethren. 
Through  the  free-will  offerings  of  Christians,  the  building 
No.  17  St.  Mark's  Place  has  been  fitted  up  as  "  The  First 
Hebrew  Christian  Church  "  in  New  York  City.  Jews  can 
read  this  on  the  upper  sign,  and  Gentiles  on  the  sign  under 
it.  If  the  pastor  would  invite  the  author  to  bring  his 
Prayer-Book  and  preach  a  sermon,  he  would  accept  the  in- 
vitation. 


TONS   f.Y  ST.    MARK'S  MEMORIAL    CHAPEL. 


CHAPTER  V. 

ADVENT  SERMONS  IN    ST.    MARKS  MEMORIAL  CHAPEL. 

The  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan — The  Rev.  Dr.  Kramer — The 
Minister  in  Temporary  Charge — Subjects  of  the  Advent  Ser- 
mons— -The  Soul ' s  Biblical  Balance-Sheet — Profit  or  Loss  ? 

The  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan  daily  watched  the  progress 
of  the  new  Memorial  Chapel  until  the  building  was  com- 
pleted. Rutherford  Stuyvesant,  Esq.,  presented  the  sub- 
stantial building  to  St.  Mark's  parish.  It  was  built  as  a 
memorial  to  his  departed  wife,  who  had  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  whatever  pertained  to  the  welfare  of  the  old 
Mission  Chapel.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan  rejoiced  when  the 
Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  consecrated  the  new  building. 
But  his  arduous  labors  for  over  five  years  and  numerous 
cares  made  a  change  for  rest  essential — not  the  rest  of 
inactivity,  but  of  change  of  labor.  Soon  after  the  chapel 
was  consecrated  he  resigned  as  the  minister  of  the  Memorial 
Chapel,  became  assistant  minister  at  the  parish  church,  but 
continues  to  labor  as  the  chaplain  of  Ludlow  Street  Jail. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  people 
for  his  uniform  kindness  ;  and  they  sorely  lamented  that  he 
had  ceased  to  be  their  minister.  The  children  of  the  Sun- 
day and  the  day  schools  dearly  loved  him  ;  and  when  they 
now  meet  him  in  the  street  they  shout,  "  Mr.  Morgan  !" 
and  mutually  smile. 

Soon  afterward  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kramer  took  temporary 
charge  of  the  people  of  the  Chapel.     He  treated  all  worthy 


376 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


applicants  for  relief  with  uniform  kindness,  and  his  labors 
were  appreciated  by  the  "  people  of  the  Chapel."  At  the 
end  of  three  months  he  resigned  his  position,  and  became 
the  assistant  minister  at  the  Anthon  Memorial  Church.  In 
November,  1885,  the  author  consented  to  be  the  temporary 
pastor  of  the  distracted  and  shepherdless  little  flock  until 
the  committee  could  secure  a  permanent  shepherd.  Dur- 
ing the  season  of  Advent  he  preached  a  series  of  sermons 
on  Eschatology,  in  accordance  with  the  following  circular : 

SERMONS    DURING    LENT. 

St.   Mark's   Memorial   Chapel, 

TOMPKINS    SQUARE,  Cor.   TENTH  ST.  and  AVE.  A., 

BY 

REV.     J  .     W .     BONHAM, 
Church  Evangelist. 


First  Sunday  in  Advent. — Nov.  30TH,  1884. 
A.M. — Christ's  Return,  Premillennial  and  His  reign  Personal. 
P.  M. — Historical  Prefigurations  of  the  Day  of  Final  Destiny. 

Friday,  December  5TH. 
Daniel's  Vision  of  Successive  Gentile  Nations. 


Second  Sunday  in  Advent. — Dec.  7TH. 
A.M. — The  Day  of  Judgment,  and  why  by  God  Appointed  ? 
P.M. — The  Binding  of  Satan  and  the  First  Resurrection. 

Friday,   Dec.  12TH. 
The  Conflagration  of  the  Heavens  and  Earth. 

Third  Sunday  in  Advent. — Dec.  14TH. 
A.M. — Abounding  Iniquity  a  Sign  of  the  Last  Times. 
P.M.  — The  Final  Crash  of  Nations,  and  the  Times  of  the  Gentiles  Ended. 


SERMOXS  IX   ST.    MARK'S  MEMORIAL    CHAPEL.     'Ml 


Friday,   Dec.   n/rn. 
Who  will  be  Able  to  Stand  before  Christ's  Judgment  Seat? 

Foi  k  ri r  Sunday  in  Advent. — Dec.  2ist. 
A.M.  — Satan  and  Death  Dethroned,  and  the  Messiah  Triumphant. 
P.M. — The  New  Heavens  and   Earth,   and  New  Song  of  the  Glorified 
Redeemer. 


Hours  of  Service: — Sundays,   10.45  A.m.,   7.45  p.m.;    Fridays  at  8  r.M. 
A  Musical  Service  before  the  Sermon  each  Sunday  evening. 

Another  leaflet  : 

ST.     MARK'S     MEMORIAL    CHAPEL, 

Tompkins  Sq.,  10th  St.  and  Ave.  A. 

Rev.  J.  H.   Rylance,  D.D.,  Rector  ;  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  the  Minister 

in  Charge. 

Services  : 

Sunday-School,  9  a.m.;  Wm.  V.  King,  Esq.,  Superintendent. 
Young  People's  Bible  Class,  Sunday  A.M.  ;    M.  A.  Gilbert,  Esq.,  Leader. 
Morning  Prayer  and  Sermon,  10.45  A.M.;    Evangelistic  Service,  7.45  p.m. 
Service  and  Lecture,  Friday,  at  8  P.M.;    Parish   School,  daily,   at  9  A.M.; 

Miss  F.  W.  Ray,  Teacher  ;  Miss  A.  Doughlass,  Assistant. 
Working  People's  Free  Reading-Room  open  from  7  to  10  p.m.  daily. 

All  the  Pews  are  Free.     Strangers  Cordially  Welcomed  to  the  Services. 

During  the  three  months  the  author  had  temporary  charge 
of  the  various  interests  of  the  Chapel,  several  thousand 
copies  of  the  following  tract  were  circulated  by  the  Sunday- 
school  teachers  and  children  among  the  multitudes  of  peo- 
ple surrounding  the  Chapel  : 


378 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE    SOUL'S   BIBLICAL    BALANCE-SHEET. 

By  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham,  Church  Evangelist. 


What  is  a  man  profited  if  he  shall  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  /" 


HE  MAY,  PERHAPS,  GAIN : 

THE  WORLD'S  PERISHING  RICHES, 
THE  SLIPPERY  SUMMIT  OF  FAME, 
TRANSIENT  AND  WANING  POWER, 
EARTH'S  UNSATISFYING  HONORS, 
HEART-DECEIYING  SINFUL  PLEASURE, 
AN  ACCUMULATED  WEIGHT  OF  GUILT. 


HE  WILL  SURELY  LOSE  : 

A  CAVALRY-DATED  FREE  PARDON, 
JUSTIFICATION  BY  CHRIST'S  MERIT, 
SANCTIFICATION  BY  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT, 
PART  IN  THE  FIRST  RESURRECTION, 
ENTHRONEMENT  IN  GOD'S  KINGDOM, 
AND  AN  ETERNAL  WEIGHT  OF  GLORY. 


HIS  PRESENT  GAIN  IS  TEMPORAL. 

THE  GATE  OF  DEATH  EXCLUDES  \ 

ALL  THE  WEALTH  OF  THIS  WORLD, 
ALL  GRADES  OF  EARTHLY  POWER, 
ALL  TEMPTING  WORLDLY  HONORS, 
ALL  ALLURING  SINFUL  PLEASURES  ; 
FOR  THE  EARTH  IS  DOOMED  TO  MELT, 
AND  BURN  UP  ALL  ITS  SINFUL  WORKS. 


HIS  LOSS  WILL  BE  ETERNAL. 

THE  GATE  OP  HEAVEN  EXCLUDES  : 

THE  COVETOUS  AND  IDOLATERS, 
EXTORTIONERS  AND  ALL  LIARS, 
DRUNKARDS  AND  ADULTERERS, 
DESPISERS  OF  GOD  THE  FATHER, 
REJECTERS  OF  GOD  THE  SAVIOUR, 
RESISTERS  OF  GOD  THE  HOLY  GHOST. 


"  Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  Mammon.'1''      "He  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still.'' 


SERMONS   IN  ST.    MARK'S   MEMORIAL    CHAPEL.     379 


WHAT  SHALL  A   MAX  GIVE   IX    EXCHANGE  FOR    HIS   SOUL? 

St.  Mark  viii.  37. 

Gl ) D  endowed  the  soul  with  capacity  to  contain  Himself  and  to  be 
filled  with  His  own  fulness,  and  as  nothing  earthly  can  satisfy  it, 
great  ones  who  have  tried  the  experiment  have  left  their  testimony. 
King  Solomon  gained  riches  and  honor,  and  revelled  in  all  worldly 
pleasures  ;  but,  heart-sick,  exclaimed  :  "  Vanity  of  vanities  !  all  is 
vanity  !" — Ecclesiastes  i.  2. 

Alexander  the  Great  conquered  the  world,  but  through  disappoint- 
ment, wept  ;  and  because  he  could  take  with  him  neither  power  nor  its 
glory,  ordered  that  he  be  borne  to  his  tomb  with  his  empty  hands  ex- 
posed.— Psalm    xlix.  6,  7,  14. 

The  man  who  had  ample  means  for  many  years,  and  said  to  his  soul, 
"  Eat,  drink  and  be  merry,"  was  startled  by  God's  voice  saying, 
"  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy  soul  shall  be  required  of  thee  :  then  whose 
shall  those  things  be?" — St.   Luke  xii.  19. 

The  rich  man  who  clothed  himself  in  purple  and  fine  linen  and  fared 
sumptuously  every  day,  after  death  lifted  up  his  eyes  in  the  world  of 
torment. — St.  Luke  xv.   19,  20. 

"  Restless  mortals  toil  for  naught  ; 
Bliss  on  earth  in  vain  is  sought." 

Therefore,  attempt  not  an  exchange  with  the  god  of  this  world  ;  for 
whatever  earth  may  offer  cannot,  in  any  sense,  be  an  equivalent  for 
what  you  will  lose  even  in  this  life.  Barter  not  your  soul  for  anything 
temporal,  however  alluring  ;  for  whatever  you  may  possess  you  must 
leave  when  you  die.  Contract  not  an  unwise  bargain  that  will  deprive 
ycu  of  a  throne  in  Christ's  Kingdom,  His  unsearchable  riches,  and  an 
"  eternal  weight  of  glory." 

Lay  up  for  yourself  treasures  in  heaven  ;  for  where  your  treasure  is 
there  will  your  heart  be  also. — St.  Matt.  vi.  21.  If  any  man  love 
the  world,  the  love  of  the  Faiher  is  not  in  him. — 1  John  ii.  15.  God- 
liness is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promised  of  the  life  that  now 
is  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. — I  Tim.  iv.  8.  He  that  believeth  on 
the  Son  hath  everlasting  life. — St.  John  iii.  36.  In  every  thing 
he  is  enriched  by  Him. — 1  Cor.  i.  4,  5.  Seek  those  things  which  are 
above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  and  when  Christ, 
who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  Him  in 
glory. — Col.    iii.    1-4. 


380  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

When  a  permanent  minister  had  been  secured,  the  minis- 
ter in  temporary  charge  of  the  Chapel  received  the  follow- 
ing notice  : 

'  New  York,  January  19,  1885. 
"  Rev.  J.    W.  Bonham. 

"'  My  dear  Sir  :  The  vacancy  existing  at  St.  Mark's  Memorial  Chapel 
has  been  filled  by  the  selection  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  who  will  enter 
upon  his  duties  as  minister  in  charge  on  the  first  Sunday  in  February 
next— viz.,  February  1st.  .  .  .  Kindly  arrange  accordingly.  Thanking 
you  for  the  good  work  performed  while  temporarily  in  charge  of  the 
Chapel,  and  in  the  earnest  hope  that  our  new  man  will  take  it  up,  and 
push  it  to  a  vigorous  completion, 

"  Believe  me,  yours  truly,  William  V.  King, 

"For  Vestry  Committee." 

He  also  received  an  encouraging  note  fro*m  the  Rector  : 

"  Saturday,  January  17,  1885. 
"  My  dear  Bonham  :  The  Managing  Committee  of  the  Memorial 
Chapel  have  instead  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Johnson  to  become  minister  of  said 
Chapel,  and  yesterday  Mr.  Johnson  accepted,  proposing  to  enter  upon  his 
duties  on  the  1st  of  February.  .  .  .  You  have  often  told  me  that  you 
would  not  accept  any  fixed  position.  From  the  warm,  zealous  way  you 
have  taken  hold  of  the  work  in  the  Chapel  ...  I  know  your  worth.  .  .  . 
"  In  a  hurry,  but  in  love,  I  am  as  ever, 

"J.  H.  Rylance." 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan  the 
gallery  of  the  Chapel  was  unoccupied.  The  "  minister  in 
temporary  charge  "  invited  some  of  the  children  in  the  large 
Sunday-school  to  occupy  the  Chapel  gallery  on  Sunday 
mornings.  Not  to  weary  them  by  the  sermon,  at  the  close 
of  the  ante-communion  service,  during  the  offertory  volun- 
tary, the  children  quietly  left  the  gallery,  and  each  received 
an  illuminated  ticket  for  "  good  behavior."  At  a  special 
service  in  the  Chapel,  a  few  evenings  before  the  new  min- 
ister's arrival,  the  children  who  had  received  the  tickets, 
with  their  parents  and  friends,  assembled  in  the   Chapel 


SERMONS  IN   ST.    MARK'S  MEMORIAL    CHAPEL.     381 


to   receive  a   memorial   for  their  "  good   behavior  '*    at   the 
Sunday  morning  services. 

The  Superintendent,  \V.  V.  King,  Esq.,  read  a  selection 
of  prayers,  led  the  singing  of  appropriate  hymns,  and 
made  an  interesting  address.  An  address  was  also  made 
by  the  minister  who  for  three  months  had  served  them. 
Company  after  company  of  the  children  came  to  the  front 
of  the  chancel  rail,  and  each  child  was  presented  with  a 
book  and  a  Xew  Testament,  and  exhorted  to  believe  its 
facts,  obey  its  precepts,  in  order  to  inherit  its  promises, 
after  which  the  retiring  minister  said,  "Farewell."  The 
occasion  was  one  of  great  interest,  but  all  regretted  that 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Rylance  could  not  be  present.  The  retiring 
minister  had  obtained  the  New  Testaments  from  the  Bible 
Society  as  a  free  gift  to  the  Sunday-school,  and  paid  for 
the  other  books.  But  the  rector  of  St  Mark's  kindly  sent 
him  a  check  to  cover  the  amount  and  this  note,  which  was 
much  more  cheering  than  the  money  : 

"  January  29,  1885. 
"  My  dear  Bonham  :   I  take  the  opportunity,  in  enclosing  you  a  check, 
in  payment  of  the  special  Festival  expenses,  to  thank  you  once  more  for 
your  noble  and  effective  work  at  the  Memorial  Chapel. 

"  Ever  gratefully  yours,  J.  H.  Rylance." 

11  Livingston  Place,  New  York. 


382 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE  PERMANENT  MINISTER  OF  ST.    MARK'S  CHAPEL. 

He  has  the  Spirit  of  a  Missioner — Sketch  of  his  Evangelistic 
Work — The  Evangelistic  Services  in  Philadelphia — A  Sermon 
Preached  in  a  Theatre. 


The  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  who  had  so  successfully  con- 
ducted religious  services  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  at 
once  took  charge  of  the  multiform  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  Memorial  Chapel.  He  has  labored  with  all  his  might 
to  benefit  some  of  the  multitudes  of  godless  people  in  the 
vicinity,  who  are  devoted  members  of  "  this  crooked  and 
perverse  generation."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson  had  himself 
held  successful  missions.  Desiring  to  give  a  place  of 
honor  in  "  The  Church  Revived  "  to  brethren  who  have 
striven  to  revive  parishes  in  America,  the  author  requested 
him  to  send  him  a  sketch  of  missions  he  had  conducted. 
The  following  letter  contains  a  part  of  his  modest  answer  : 

"  New  York,  January  7,  1886. 
"  My  dear  Bonham  :  My  work  as  a  volunteer  missioner  has  covered 
a  period  of  about  twelve  years,  but  has  been  of  so  feeble  a  sort  that  it  is 
hardly  worth  mentioning.  I  did  it  because  I  felt  I  must  to  save  my  own 
soul.  Brethren  in  Massachusetts,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania sent  for  me  at  various  times  to  come  over  and  help  them,  and  I  al- 
ways complied  when  it  was  possible.  I  held  a  very  successful  mission  in 
old  St.  Ambrose's  Church  in  this  city  about  ten  years  ago.  The  locality 
had  already  become  one  of  the  most  squalid  in  New  York,  and  yet  the 
church  was  crowded  every  night,  and  many  remained  for  the  after-meet- 
ings.    The  rector  enlarged  his   work  immediately,  and  the  parish  was 


PERMANENT  MINISTER  OF  ST.  MARK'S  CHAPEL,  388 


greatly  benefited.  In  Philadelphia  I  held  a  mission  in  St.  John  the 
Evangelist's  Church  about  the  year  1S78,  which  lasted  a  month  ;  and  al- 
though the  church  had  comfortable  accommodations  for  seven  hundred, 
we  often  had  to  close  the  gates  to  keep  out  the  crowd.  There  were  no 
unusual  methods  employed,  the  attractions  being  simply  preaching  and 
singing.  I  held  a  mission  there  for  three  years  in  succession,  and  at  the 
end  of  five  years  it  was  possible,  from  an  inspection  of  the  Parish  Register, 
to  say  in  what  mission  more  than  one  half  the  communicants  of  the  parish 
had  been  brought  to  Confirmation,  for  that  was  the  objective  point  toward 
which  we  always  worked.  I  am  sure  that  there  is  nothing  that  I  have 
done  that  deserves  any  public  mention,  but  I  have  believed  in  the  Cause 
(write  me  as  such  a  one).  I  have  stood  up  for  it  against  a  wicked  and 
gainsaying  generation  in  the  Church  ;  have  been  content  to  be  called  a 
Methodist  and  by  worse  names— for  that  is  what  I  claim  to  be  :  a  Simon 
Pure,  loyal  Methodist,  a  regular  follower  of  Wesley,  who  said,  '  I  am  a 
High  Churchman.'  I  never  expected  to  see  such  a  mission  as  we  have 
just  had  in  New  York.  ...  I  have  seen  greater  liberties  taken  with  our 
liturgy  in  Old  Trinity  than  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  taking  at  parochial 
missions.  In  answer  to  the  inquiries  of  friends  as  to  the  results  of  the 
Advent  Mission,  I  say  :  '  It  is  a  great  success.  .  .  .'  The  time  is  so  short 
since  '  missions  '  have  been  known  in  our  Church,  and  the  prejudice 
against  them  has  so  stood  in  the  way  of  the  work,  that  I  fancy  you  will 
find  little  material  for  your  chapter  on  '  American  Missions.'  This  may 
account  for  your  willingness  to  use  anything  that  I  could  contribute  to  it. 
"Yours  fraternally,  J.  E.  Johnson." 

The  following  sermon  is  as  timely  now  as  when  first 
preached  in  the  theatre,  and  printed  in  the  "  Pulpit  Treas- 
ury." From  the  author's  thesaurus  of  fragments,  it  is 
reprinted  in  <s  The  Church  Revived." 


384  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

EVANGELISTIC    SERVICE. 

THE  IRREVOCABLE  OPPORTUNITY. 

By    Rev.   J.    E.    Johnson    (Episcopalian),    in    the    Bijou 
Theatre,  Philadelphia.* 

"  And  the  door  was  shut." — Matt.  25  :  10. 

The  past  is  irrevocable.  God  Himself,  be  it  said  with 
reverence,  cannot  put  us  once  more  where  we  were  a  year 
ago,  or  roll  the  year  back  so  that  we  can  live  it  over  again. 
The  wheels  of  the  chariot  of  time,  it  is  said,  have  ratchets 
on  them.  The  sun  which  rose  this  morning  will  never  rise 
again.  Time  does  not  repeat  itself.  The  past  is  gone  for- 
ever. Yesterday,  last  week,  last  year — where  are  they  ? 
The  poet  answers,  "  With  the  years  beyond  the  flood." 
"  We  esteem  grains  of  gold  worthy  of  toilsome  search,  we 
carefully  treasure  the  smallest  diamond,  and  we  watchfully 
keep  and  plant  and  tend  the  grain  on  whose  growth  our 
support  is  depending  for  a  coming  year.  Far  more  pre- 
cious than  gold  and  jewels  and  the  seed-corn  of  an  earthly 
food  is  time  ;  and  we  shall  realize  it  when  time  shall  be  no 
more."  There  is  something  appalling  in  the  thought  of 
being  so  in  the  hands  of  time  as  all  men  are,  while  we  are 
utterly  unable  to  comprehend  it.  "  The  great  mystery  of 
time,  were  there  no  other,  the  illimitable,  silent,  never- 
resting  thing  called  time,  rolling,  rushing  on,  swift,  like  an 


*  For  three  years  the  Rev.  W.  N.  McVickar,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  J.  E. 
Johnson  have  been  preaching,  alternate  Sunday  nights,  in  the  Bijou 
Theatre,  which  is  situated  in  one  of  the  worst  parts  of  Philadelphia,  to 
non-churchgoers,  who  pack  the  edifice  in  every  corner.  Testimonies  as  to 
the  spiritual  results  of  this  work  have  been  abundant.  Pastors,  mission- 
aries, and  laymen  are  continually  bearing  witness  to  the  good  which  has 
been  done. 


PERMANENT  MINISTER  OF  ST.  MARK'S  CHAPEL.  386 


all-embracing  ocean  tide,  on  which  we  and  all  the  universe 
swim  like  exhalations,  like  apparitions  which  are,  and  then 
are  not  ;  this  is  forever  a  thing  to  strike  us  dumb.  We 
have  no  word  to  speak  about  it."  (Carlyle.)  No  mariner 
ever  casts  anchor  in  the  stream  of  time.  We  may  be  ship- 
wrecked, but  we  can  never  be  delayed.  What  we  do  in  this 
life  we  must  do  as  the  opportunity  presents  itself,  for  we 
shall  never  pass  this  way  again.  In  all  the  great  cotton 
factories  in  New  England  there  is  an  officer  whose  duty  it 
is  to  pass  through  the  various  rooms  of  these  vast  edifices 
at  stated  hours  in  the  night  to  see  that  all  is  well.  At  the 
far  end  of  his  round  this  officer  finds  an  instrument  which 
is  placed  there  to  act  as  a  mute  monitor  of  the  way  in  which 
he  may  discharge  his  duty.  At  a  particular  moment  a  re- 
volving wheel  presents  an  opening  through  which  a  ball 
may  be  dropped.  If  the  opportunity  is  not  seized  at  the 
instant  it  will  not  present  itself  again,  and  the  unfaithful- 
ness of  the  watchman  will  be  known  in  the  morning.  Thus 
it  is  with  the  lost  opportunities  of  life.  The  man  at  the 
switch  falls  asleep.  The  lightning  express  thunders  by, 
and  he  awakes  with  the  flash  of  the  locomotive  light  in  his 
eyes,  and  the  ground  trembling  like  an  earthquake  beneath 
his  feet,  realizing,  to  his  amazement  and  horror,  that  the 
switch  is  wrong,  and  willing  to  give  all  that  he  has  if  he 
could  only  get  that  moment  back  again.  But  it  is  too  late. 
Time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man.  The  door  of  opportunity 
is  shut  forever.  And  thus  it  is  with  life,  which  is  a  great 
house  with  innumerable  apartments,  the  doors  of  which 
close  upon  us,  never  to  open  again,  as  we  pass  through 
them. 

There  is  a  point  of  view  from  which  this  thought  com- 
forts us.  If  you  have  passed  through  afflictions,  if  you  have 
known  a  season  of  trial,  if  you  have  just  come  out  of  in- 
tellectual or  financial    difficulties,  you    are  glad   that    the 


386  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

past   is   irrevocable   and  that  the  door  behind  you  is  shut 
forever. 

But,  generally  speaking,  our  thought  of  the  past  is  one 
of  regret. 

"  Of  all  sad  words  of  tongue  or  pen, 

The  saddest  are  these — '  It  might  have  been.'  " 

There  are  our  lost  intellectual  or  educational  opportuni- 
ties. What  a  different  person  you  would  have  been  had 
you  given  your  spare  hours  to  study  instead  of  to  pleasure 
or  indolence  !  But  now  it  is  too  late.  The  door  is  shut. 
There  is  a  great  gulf  between  the  educated  and  the  illiter- 
ate which  is  as  wide  and  as  deep  as  that  of  which  we  read 
in  the  parable  of  Dives  and  Lazarus.  Then  there  are  our 
lost  opportunities  of  usefulness.  We  save  up  our  money 
for  a  rainy  day,  but  the  saddest  thing  in  the  world  is  not  an 
impecunious  old  age  ;  it  is  an  opulent  old  age  that  has 
brought  its  money  by  every  open  door  of  usefulness,  that 
has  neglected  every  opportunity  of  using  its  wealth  for  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  welfare  of  our  fellow-men.  The 
"  Coal  Orders  "  of  the  various  Trust  Funds  of  Philadelphia 
are  valid  only  until  the  first  of  April  ;  if  you,  through 
ignorance  or  carelessness,  have  retained  them  in  your  pos- 
session until  after  that  date,  you  have  felt  as  that  man 
ought  who  has  kept  his  money  until  it  is  too  late  to  do  any 
good  with  it  ;  until  everybody  is  dead  and  gone  whom  he 
might  have  blessed  by  its  use.  Again,  there  are  our  lost 
opportunities  of  restitution  and  apology.  We  neglected  to 
return  to  some  one,  while  he  was  alive,  that  of  which  we  had 
wronged  him,  and  now  it  is  too  late.  We  remember  harsh 
words  and  cruel  deeds  of  which  we  were  guilty  toward 
those  who  are  dead  and  gone,  and  we  would  give  the  world 
to  have  those  loved  ones  back  again,  if  but  for  a  moment, 
to  tell  them  how  bitterly  we  repent,  but  it  is  too  late.  .    .   . 

We  would   gladly  wipe    out    the  record  of  our  innumer- 


PERMANENT  MINISTER  OF  ST.  MARK'S  CHAPEL.   387 


able  violations  of  God's  laws  ;  we  would  recall  the  long 
line  of  our  sins,  but  it  is  impossible.  We  can  never  be  just 
what  we  should  have  been  had  we  not  done  those  things 
which  we  ought  not  to  have  done.  The  boy  whose  father 
bade  him  drive  a  nail  into  a  favorite  tree  every  time  he  dis- 
obeyed him  and  then  permitted  him  to  draw  one  out  for 
each  virtuous  action  was  found  one  day  at  the  tree,  out  of 
which  all  the  nails  had  been  drawn,  in  tears.  When  asked 
why  he  wept,  he  replied  :  "  The  nails  are  gone,  but  the 
ugly  holes  are  left,  and  spoil  the  beauty  of  the  tree."  The 
hateful  scars  of  old  sins  are  ineffaceable.  We  sometimes 
talk  about  "wild  oats"  as  though  a  crop  of  them  were 
rather  a  preparation  for  the  future  sowing  of  good  grain. 
It  is  a  false,  a  pernicious  notion.  Whatsoever  a  man 
soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap.  A  reformed  man  is  a 
damaged  man.  It  is  far  better  to  grow  up  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

But  although  we  cannot  undo  our  sins,  we  can  at  least 
prevent  them  from  utterly  undoing  us.  We  can  turn  to 
God  in  true  penitence  and  lay  hold  on  Him  in  Jesus  Christ. 
But,  finally,  sometimes  even  this  door  is  shut,  and  we  find, 
like  Esau,  no  room  for  repentance.  Early  in  life  we  are 
drawn  toward  the  Ark  ;  later  on  our  hearts  are  hardened, 
and  we  discover  when  it  is  too  late  that  the  door  is  shut. 
(Instance  the  case  of  Dr.  Judson's  infidel  classmate  whom 
he  found  in  after  years  dying  at  a  hotel,  and  to  whom  he 
preached  Christ.  He  would  have  repented,  but  he  felt  that 
it  was  too  late  ;  he  had  sinned  away  his  day  of  grace  ;  the 
door  was  shuf.  This  bears  upon  the  subject  of  deathbed 
repentances.   .  .   .) 

And  now,  it  may  be  well  to  inquire  why  is  it  that  some 
men  are  always  too  late — at  the  depot,  bank,  post-office, 
everywhere  ?  There  is  a  class  of  people  who  are  always 
missing  the  greatest  good  fortune  by  being  just  a  little  too 


388  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

late.  And  there  are  those  who  find  the  door  of  salvation 
shut.  Why  is  it  ?  What  is  the  reason  ?  They  start  too 
late.  James  III.  proclaimed  an  amnesty  to  all  Scotch 
chiefs  who  should  submit  before  the  31st  of  December  of  a 
particular  year.  Mclan,  the  bravest  and  proudest  of  them 
all,  was  determined  that  he  would  be  the  last  to  take  the 
oath,  and  so  did  not  start  from  his  glen  until  two  days  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  the  amnesty.  He  was  delayed  by  a 
storm,  and  arrived  in  time—to  be  executed.  Such  is  the 
lisk  which  those  run  who  delay  their  acceptance  of  that 
amnesty  which  the  King  of  kings  has  offered  us  through 
His  Son. 

You  say,  perhaps,  that  this  is  a  harsh  doctrine.  But  it 
is  not  my  doctrine,  and  it  is  not  I  who  shut  the  door. 
Noah  preached  for  years  and  exhorted  men  to  come  into  the 
ark,  but  they  refused,  and  in  the  hush  of  that  last  night 
before  the  flood  "God  shut  to  the  door" — not  Noah. 
Their  quarrel,  then,  was  with  God,  and  not  with  the 
preacher  of  His  righteousness. 

And  now,  dear  friends,  what  shall  be  said  by  way  of  con- 
clusion ?  Shall  we  postpone  the  application  until  next 
Sunday  night  ?  The  great  American  revivalist  wTas  preach- 
ing in  Farwell  Hall  in  Chicago  on  the  subject  of  Christ  be- 
fore Pilate  ;  in  closing  he  gave  notice  that  he  would  take 
up  on  the  following  Sunday  the  question,  "  What  shall  we 
do  with  Jesus  ?"  Before  the  week  had  rolled  away  a  great 
part  of  the  city  had  rolled  away — in  smoke  and  flames,  and 
that  congregation,  some  of  whom  perished  in  the  ruins, 
never  assembled  again.  Dare  we  delay  our  application, 
then,  another  week,  or  even  until  to-morrow  ? 

Years  ago,  when  the  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  was  not 
as  common  as  it  is  now,  the  loss  of  the  steamship  the  Cen- 
tral America,  with  all  on  board,  filled  the  people  of  two 
continents  with  horror.     The  steamer  was  sighted  in  dis- 


PERMANENT  MINISTER  OF  ST.   MARK'S  CHAR  III.    889 

tress  by  another  vessel,  which  bore  down  upon  her,  and 
coming  alongside,  offered  to  take  all  of  her  passengers  on 
board  ;  but  it  was  growing  dark,  and  the  captain  of  the  dis- 
abled ship  declined  to  accept  the  offer  that  night.  "  Lay- 
alongside  of  us,"  he  said,  "  until  morning."  When  the 
morning  sun  arose  the  Central  America  was  nowhere  to  be 
seen  ■  she  had  gone  down  with  all  on  board. 

And  so,  dear  friends,  I  will  not  say,  "  Wait  until  next 
week,"  for  I  remember  the  conflagration  of  Chicago,  and  I 
do  not  know  how  many  of  us  may  live  another  week.  I  do 
not  even  dare  to  say,  "  Wait  until  to-morrow,"  for  I  re- 
member the  Central  America,  and  it  is  possible  that  when 
the  morning  sun  rises  it  will  not  shine  upon  us  in  this 
world  ;  we  may  have  gone  down  into  the  depths  of  the 
great  ocean  of  eternity. 

Hence  I  say,  "  Now  is  the  accepted  time,  now  is  the  day 
of  salvation."  Enter  this  moment,  by  an  act  of  faith,  into 
the  Ark  of  God.  Jesus  says,  "  I  am  the  door.  If  by  me 
any  man  shall  enter  in  he  shall  be  saved."  Let  us,  then, 
enter  in  through  Him  at  once,  lest  we  be  everlastingly  too 
late  ;  lest  we  find  the  door  of  salvation  eternally  shut. 

"  Thou  art  the  Way,  to  Thee  alone 
From  sin  and  death  we  flee  ; 
And  he  who  would  the  Father  seek 
Must  seek  Him,  Lord,  by  Thee. 

11  Thou  art  the  Way,  the  Truth,  the  Life  ; 

Grant  us  that  way  to  know, 
.That  truth  to  keep,  that  life  to  win, 
Whose  joys  eternal  flow." 


390  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

OTHER    PAROCHIAL    MISSIONS    IN    PENNSYLVANIA.* 

Ch?'ist  Church,  Oil  City — St.  John  s  Church,  Franklin — Brad- 
ford, Pa. — St.  Timothy's  Church,  Massillon,  Ohio — Trinity 
Church— St.  Philip's  Church,  Philadelphia. 

Several  years  ago  the  author  held  a  fourteen  days'  Mis- 
sion in  Christ  Church,  Oil  City,  Pa.,  the  Rev.  C.  G. 
Adams,  Rector.  The  services  were  well  attended,  and  the 
people  were  interested.  The  mission  was  commenced  as 
an  "eight  days'  mission,"  but  in  view  of  the  manifest 
interest  in  the  services  it  was  continued  during  the  second 
week.  Services  for  "  women  only"  were  conducted  in  the 
large  room  of  the  hotel  by  the  missioner's  wife,  and  were 
highly  appreciated.  H.  L.  Foster,  Esq.,  the  author's  lay- 
reader  at  the  Bishop's  church,  Philadelphia,  and  now  the 
President  of  the  Oil  Exchange,  Oil  City,  influenced  a  num- 
ber of  the  members  to  "come  to  the  mission."  They 
devoutly  said  the  responses,  fervently  united  in  the  hymns 
of  praise,  and  attentively  listened  to  the  sermons  and  the 
instructions  that  followed.  The  zealous  and  enthusiastic 
Rector  heartily  co-operated  with  the  missioner.  The  ward- 
ens and  vestrymen  treated  him  hospitably.  Before  he  left 
the  city  he  received  a  financial  token  of  the  people's  appre- 
ciation of  his  services.  They  liberally  remembered  him, 
and  he  gratefully  remembers  them. 

Immediately  after  the  mission  in  Oil  City,  he  conducted  a 
Mission  in  St.  John's,  Franklin,  and  about  a  year  later  he 
held  another.    The  following  is  the  condensed  programme  : 

*See  Part  III.,  Chapter  VII. 


PAROCHIAL  MISSIONS  IN  PENNSYLVANIA.  Ml 


COME   TO   THE   MISSION! 


SPECIAL    EVANGELISTIC    SERVICES 

AT 

St.  John's  Church, 

REV.  J.  W.  BONHAM,  EVANGELIST. 


Order   of   Services  : 
EACH    MORNING   DURING    THE    WEEK, 

At  10.30  o'clock, 

PRAYERS   AND   ADDRESS. 


EACH  EVENING,  EXCEPT  SATURDAY, 

At  7.30. 

SERVICE  OF  SONG. 

At  7-45, 

MISSION     SERVICE 

AND 

SERMON    BY    THE    EVANGELIST. 


Seats  Free.     All  are  Welcome. 


Whosoever  will,  let  hint  take  the  Water  of  Life  freely." 

A.  B.   PUTNAM,   Rector. 


392  THE    CHCRCII  REVIVED. 


Christians  of  other  bodies  attended  the  services,  includ- 
ing the  Methodist  Minister,  who  said  he  would  say 
"  Amen"  when  he  so  desired,  and  did  so,  but  only  at  the 
end  of  the  Creed  and  prayers  or  Gloria.  An  eminent  Pres- 
byterian, who  is  now  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  became  deeply  interested  in  the  Mission,  and  said 
to  a  dear  friend  :  "  The  Gospel  is  now  earnestly  preached 
within  the  Episcopal  Church  ;  why  should  we  remain  on  the 
outside  any  longer  ?"  The  Evangelist  next  held  a  Mission 
in  St.  Timothy's  Church,  Massillon,  Ohio,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Probascoe,  Rector.  Through  God's  blessing  on  the  services 
the  parish  was  revived,  and  an  unusually  large  number 
wrere  present  at  the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion 
and  at  most  of  the  other  services.  The  Rector  was  deeply 
interested  in  the  Mission  ;  but  he  soon  departed  this  life 
for  rest  in  Paradise.  The  author  also  visited  Bradford, 
where  was  no  Episcopal  Church,  obtained  the  use  of  the 
Methodist  Church  for  the  Sunday  evening  services,  and  the 
use  of  another  church  for  the  week-night  services.  Soon 
after  the  Mission  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Putnam  went  to  Bradford, 
and  first  held  services  in  the  Oil  Exchange  Building.  Soon 
a  church  was  erected,  and  thus  our  Church  made  her 
presence  known. 

At  a  later  period  the  author  held  a  Mission  in  Trinity 
Church,  Philadelphia,  the  Rev.  F.  Mansfield,  Rector.  He 
also  preached  special  sermons  for  the  Rev.  Dr.  Davies, 
Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  officiated  in  several  of 
the  churches  near  the  city.  In  the  latter  part  of  Lent,  1885, 
in  order  to  aid  the  active  Rector  of  St.  Philip's  Church, 
Philadelphia,  the  Rev.  Bryan  B.  Killikelly,  he  preached  ten 
sermons  for  him  during  Holy  Week,  and  also  conducted  a 
Mission  in  Passion  Week.  The  people  were  not  prepared 
for  the  Mission  ;  but  the  Rector  and  the  Missioner  did  all 
in   their  power  to  make  it  profitable    to  the   "  struggling 


PAROCHIAL  MISSIONS  IX  PENNSYLl'AXIA. 

parish,"  burdened  by  a  small  debt,  which  should  not  so 
much  depress  them.  The  Mission  was  closed  on  Good 
Friday.  The  Rector  preached  in  the  morning,  the  Mission- 
er  in  the  afternoon  and  the  evening,  and  also  gave  the 
'4  Instruction.''  The  Rector  needed  much  encouragement, 
for  God's  servants  are  not  rewarded  for  their  success,  but 
for  their  faithfulness.  Soon  after  the  Mission,  Bishop 
Stevens  administered  the  rite  of  Confirmation.  Another 
class  has  recently  been  confirmed. 

Two  Evangelists  who  have  held  successful  Missions  in 
various  parishes,  some  time  ago  held  a  Mission  in  a  large 
city  church  soon  after  each  other.  The  congregations  at 
the  last  Mission  were  much  larger  than  at  the  one  that  was 
first  held.  In  answer  to  a  letter  concerning  the  results  of 
the  two  Missions,  the  Rector  kindly  but  candidly  replied  : 

"  My  dear  Brother  :    Nothing  of  interest  came  from  the  Mission 

services  of  the  Rev.  or  the  Rev.  in  my  parish.     It  was  not  the 

fault  of  the  Missioners  that  a  great  blessing  did  not  fall  upon  my  congre- 
gation.    My  people  were  at  fault — possibly  their  Rector. 

"  Most  cordially  yours, 

it >» 

When  Alexander,  an  Emperor  of  Russia,  heard  a  groan, 
he  alighted  from  his  hunting  steed,  and  found  a  man 
dying.  He  sent  at  once  for  a  doctor,  who  said  :  "  The  man 
is  dead  ;"  but  at  the  Emperor's  command — "  Try  what  you 
can  do  to  restore  him" — the  doctor  used  the  remedies  for 
suspended  animation.  Soon  the  signs  of  life  appeared,  and 
the  Emperor  ecstatically  exclaimed  :  "  This  is  the  happiest 
day  of  my  existence  ;  I  have  saved  another  man's  life  !" 
So  when  but  one  soul  is  saved  Missioners  and  Rectors  re- 
joice on  earth  with  the  angels  in  heaven.  Many  parochial 
Missions  held  in  churches  in  America  have  not  been  men- 
tioned. Several  Missions  conducted  by  the  author  have 
not  been  alluded  to.     But  from  those  sketched  or  described 


391  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  reader  may  perceive  that  the  scatterers  of  Gospel  seed,  if 
they  wait  for  fruit  with  patience,  the  Infinite  Husbandman  in 
whose  name  it  was  sown  will  not  suffer  them  to  be  entirely 
disappointed  ;  for  some  will  bring  forth  "  good  fruit." 

While  in  Philadelphia  the  author  made  the  agreeable 
acquaintance  of  the  Rev.  William  M.  Jetferies,  the  Rector 
of  the  Church  of  the  Nativity.  He  is  full  of  zeal,  suavity, 
and  energy,  and  his  labors  have  been  greatly  blessed. 
Several  unusually  large  classes  have  been  confirmed,  and 
the  influence  of  the  parish  is  extending.  To  aid  the  zealous 
and  genial  Rector,  the  author  preached  several  sermons  in 
his  church,  and  also  delivered  a  free  lecture  in  the  lecture- 
room.  And  as  he  was  not  embarrassed  by  numerous  un- 
necessary "  kind  suggestions"  before  they  entered  the 
chancel,  after  the  hearty  Liturgical  service  he  was  enabled 
to  preach  with  unusual  freedom.  The  first  sermon  set 
forth  (a)  the  mutual  interest  of  the  Holy  Trinity  in  all  true 
believers  ;  [b)  in  view  of  this  relationship,  certain  duties 
are  obligatory  on  the  part  of  those  thus  owned  ;  (c)  that 
Christ  may  be  glorified  in  His  inheritance,  entire  consecra- 
tion to  His  service  is  essential,  and  in  body,  soul,  and 
spirit,  in  thought  and  word  and  deed  each  Christian  should 
strive  to  promote  the  glory  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  The  third 
sermon,  based  on  the  text,  "  Whom  having  not  seen  ye 
love,"  showed  that  faith  in  the  invisible  Saviour  incites 
exultation,  because,  first,  the  faith  that  brings  repose  to 
the  intellect  and  heart  has  retrospective  power,  and  makes 
the  past  present.  Second,  faith  has  the  power  of  appropri- 
ation, and  takes  from  the  Saviour's  hand  of  mercy  a  free 
and  full  pardon,  dated,  "  Calvary,  near  Jerusalem,  Pales- 
tine, Anno  Domini  33."  Third,  faith  has  prospective 
vision,  and  anticipates  Christ's  return  in  glorious  majesty 
to  conquer  sin  and  death,  and  enthrone  the  redeemed  in 
His  sinless,  sorrowless,  deathless,  and  everlasting  kingdom. 


THE  AUTHOR    WITH  01. P   FRIENDS  AGAIN.         Mi 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    AUTHOR    WITH    OLD    FRIENDS    AGAIN. 

The  Great  Eastern— Miss  Louise  Thompson — Her  Benevolent 
Father — Mrs.  Thompson  and  Mrs.  Griffith  Bereaved — The 
Author  their  Guest — Meets  Former  Vestrymen — The  Mission 
in  St.  Fhi/ip's  Church — Guest  of  the  Rev.  S.  Durborow. 

When  on  board  the  steamship  Great  Eastern,  and 
all  expected  to  see  dear  friends  no  more  on  earth,  Miss 
Louise  Thompson  was  one  of  the  passengers  who,  with  a 
few  others,  crowded  the  sofa  in  the  grand  saloon  —the  only 
article  of  furniture  not  dashing  to  and  fro  in  the  uncon- 
trollable vessel.  The  sofa,  between  two  iron  columns, 
withstood  the  violence  of  the  waves.  She  aided  the 
author  in  singing  joyful  hymns,  wThich  soothed  some  of  the 
terror-stricken  passengers.  A  few  years  later,  when  the 
author  was  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Intercessor,  Phila- 
delphia, Miss  Thompson — then  Mrs.  Griffith — was  present 
at  a  Sunday  morning  service,  and  recognized  the  Rector  as 
her  protector  when  on  board  the  Great  Eastern.  After- 
ward her  father,  Thomas  Thompson,  Esq.,  became  a  Vestry- 
man, but  retained  his  pew  in  Grace  Church,  of  which  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sudards  was  the  Rector,  but  who  is  now  in 
Paradise.  Thomas  Thompson,  Esq.,  has  also  departed 
this  life.  Years  ago  he  gave  the  author  two  hundred  dol- 
lars to  enable  him  to  cross  the  ocean  and  return  in  the 
same  steamer.  In  addition  to  his  widow  and  grown-up 
children,  many  friends  miss  him  and  mourn  his  departure. 


396  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Years  ago,  while  he  occupied  his  country  house  at  Jenkin- 
town,  he  gave  the  author  the  use  of  his  capacious  mansion  ; 
and  as  it  was  but  four  doors  from  his  church,  its  use  for 
four  months  was  a  great  convenience.  Mr.  Thompson's 
heart  was  large  and  his  purse  open,  and  yet  he  died  "  well- 
off,"   and  his  good  deeds  live. 

In  the  spring  of  18S5  the  author  revisited  Philadelphia, 
and  met  many  of  his  old  friends,  including  Solomon  Frank, 
Esq.,  D.  P.  Dietrick,  Esq.,  A.  Orr,  Esq.,  J.  Gould,  Esq., 
H.  J.  Borhek,  Esq.,  C.  Wightman,  Esq.,  and  others,  and 
the  meeting  was  mutually  very  pleasant.  He  accepted  an 
invitation  from  Mrs.  Thomas  Thompson  to  be  again  a 
guest  in  her  hospitable  mansion,  and  endeavored  to  cheer 
the  bereaved  family,  including  her  married  sons  and  Mrs. 
Griffith,  her  daughter  Flora,  and  Mrs.  Hopper.  At  the 
life-size  portrait  of  Mr.  Thomas  Thompson  we  gazed  again 
and  again,  but  with  mingled  emotions.   .   .   . 

H.  L.  Foster,  Esq.,  who  gave  the  large  organ  to  the 
Bishop's  Free  Church,  for  several  years  had  gratuitously 
served  as  the  organist,  and  his  wife,  a  member  of  the 
choir,  "  sang  sweet  alto."  Her  brother,  Samuel  Wenzell, 
Esq.,  broker  and  banker,  secured  for  the  author  an  invita- 
tion to  the  privileges  of  the  Union  League  Club,  Phila- 
delphia. And  as  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster,  Mr.  Wenzell  and  the 
author  had  together  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  the  steamship 
Circassia,  to  meet  once  more  was  mutually  agreeable. 
Later  the  author  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  efficient 
superintendent  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  City  Mission,  the 
Rev.  S.  Durborow,  to  make  his  house  his  home.  Through 
the  kindness  of  his  old  friend  and  his  estimable  sister  and 
his  devoted  aunt,  the  guest  was  kept  cheerful  while  he 
remained  in  the  city. 

The  foresight  of  Bishop  Stevens  in  originating  the  Phila- 
delphia Protestant  Episcopal  City  Mission,  and  his  wisdom 


THE  AUTHOR   WITH  OLD  FRIENDS  AGAIN.  WW 

in  appointing  the  Rev.  Samuel  Durborow  its  general  super- 
intendent, become  more  and  more  apparent  as  the  years 
roll  on.  Through  the  liberal  offerings  of  Churchmen  and 
of  other  Christians,  a  staff  of  missionaries  has  been  sup- 
ported, and  the  Gospel  has  been  preached  to  the  sick  in 
hospitals,  to  the  paupers  in  almshouses,  and  to  the  crim- 
inals in  prisons.  Several  of  the  new  parishes  in  Phila- 
delphia are  the  result  of  the  divine  blessing  on  the  labors 
of  the  superintendent  and  the  city  missionaries.  The 
society  now  owns  Homes  for  Consumptives,  a  Home  for 
the  Aged,  and  in  different  parts  of  the  city  are  sick  diet 
kitchens,  from  which  nutritious  food  and  delicacies  are  sent 
to  the  homes  of  the  sick. 

Devoted  Christian  women  look  after  neglected  children, 
and  direct  them  to  Sunday-schools,  organize  mothers'  meet- 
ings, teach  Bible-classes,  distribute  Bibles,  Prayer-books, 
Hymnals,  and  Gospel  tracts,  seek  guardians  for  poor  or- 
phans, employment  for  the  idle,  visit  the  sick  at  their  homes, 
and  co-operate  with  the  superintendent  in  promoting  the 
efficiency  of  the  multiform  modes  of  benevolent  work. 
The  Bishop's  kindness  and  paternal  sympathy  with  the 
workers  have  inspired  their  courage.  The  Board  of 
Council's  approval  has  incited  their  enthusiasm  ;  and  the 
appreciation  of  their  work  by  the  friends  of  the  mission 
has  nerved  them  to  still  go  forward  in  the  Master's  name. 

At  the  day  of  judgment  not  "  saving  faith  "  but  "  good 
works''  will  be  eulogized.  What  we  believe  is  essential  to 
salvation,  but  what  we  do  to  prove  our  faith  will  be  speci- 
fied, and  to  the  helpers  of  the  helpless,  the  nurses  of  the 
sick,  the  visitors  to  the  poor,  and  the  soothers  of  the  dying, 
the  omnipotent  and  omniscient  Judge  will  say  :  "  Inas- 
much as  yet  did  it  to  one  of  the  least  of  these,  my  brethren, 
ye  did  it  unto  Me."  And  in  His  sinless  and  sorrowless 
kingdom  "  their  sympathetic  feelings  shall  only  be  excited 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


for  those  that  do  rejoice  ;  and  for  themselves  will  only  be 
joy  and  gladness,  thanksgiving  and  the  voice  of  melody. 
They  shall  see  no  more  traces  of  crime,  suffering,  sin,  and 
the  varied  forms  of  human  misery  that  so  excited  their 
commiseration,  and  gave  them  so  keen  a  sense  of  their  own 
impotence.  "  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
hath  it  entered  into  the  heart,  of  man,  the  things  that  God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  Him  ;  but  God  hath  re- 
vealed them  unto  us  by  His  Spirit." 

Numerous  cares  have  prevented  the  author  from  writing 
to  his  dear  old  friends,  including  the  Bishop  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  Rev.  Dr.  Childs,  the  Bishop's  faithful  secretary  ; 
the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Church  of  the  Inter- 
cessor ;  T.  B.  Cannon,  Esq.,  of  St.  Peter's  Church;  the 
widow  and  bereaved  sons  and  daughters  of  Wm.  Mann,  Esq. ; 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  and  other  friends,  whose  names  are  not 
here  mentioned,  but  who  are  with  pleasure  remembered. 

"  Soon  shall  we  meet  again, 
Meet  ne'er  to  sever  ; 
Soon  shall  peace  wreathe  her  chain 
Round  us  forever." 


REOPENING  OF  ST.  MARK'S  IX   THE  BOWERY.      899 


CHAPTER   IX. 

REOPENING  OF  ST.   MARK'S  IN  THE  BOWERY. 

The  Reopening  of  the  Church — Great  Improvements — The  Fu- 
neral of  the  Rector  s  Son — The  Memorial  Altar  Cross. 

"St.  Mark's  in  the  Bowery"  has  had  among  its  able 
rectors  the  Rev.  Dr.  Anthon,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Vinton,  and 
for  several  years  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Rylance,  D.D. ,  the  present 
rector.  This  church,  which  was  closed  for  repairs,  was  re- 
opened on  Sunday,  November  ist,  1885.  There  was  a  large 
congregation  present,  and  the  services  were  conducted  by 
the  rector  (the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Rylance),  assisted  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  D.  C.  Weston  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Brockholst 
Morgan,  J.  E.  Johnson,  and  J.  W.  Bonham.  The  rector's 
text  was  Ps.  122  :  1.  Alluding  to  the  congregation's  desire 
to  return  to  their  newly  renovated  and  beautified  church, 
and  his  own  and  their  appreciation  of  the  work  of  the 
committee  who  had  so  faithfully  superintended  the  repairs 
and  adornments,  the  Rev.  Doctor  showed  that  as  the 
works  of  God  in  nature  are  beautiful,  houses  in  which  to 
worship  Him  should  be  beautiful  also.  The  sermon  closed 
with  a  touching  allusion  to  beloved  ones  departed,  who  no 
longer  worship  God  in  temples  made  with  hands,  but  are 
in  joy  and  felicity,  and  worship  with  the  spirits  of  the  just 
in  Paradise.  In  the  evening  the  rector  was  assisted  by  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  B.  Morgan  and  J.  W.  Bonham.  The  sermon, 
based  on  Heb.  13  :  2,  set  forth  how  strangers  were  en- 
tertained   by  the  primitive   Christians.     The  hearty  recep- 


400  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

tion  given  to  eminent  English  Churchmen  by  American 
ministers  of  all  denominations  and  the  great  respect  paid 
to  Archdeacon  Farrar,  the  Doctor  considered  a  hopeful  sign 
of  the  times,  foreshadowing  the  day  when  severed  Christen- 
dom shall  be  reunited,  and  all  will  worship  God  in  spirit 
and  in  truth. 

To  one  entering  the  church  and  calling  to  mind  its  time- 
honored  plainness,  the  changes  wrought  must  have  seemed 
somewhat  surprising.  Not  only  is  the  work  on  all  sides 
characterized  by  brightness  and  light,  but  it  has  given  the 
structure  the  appearance  of  greater  size. 

The  scheme  of  color  adopted  by  the  decorators  was  evi- 
dently chosen  for  the  purpose  of  giving  airiness  and  effect 
to  the  building,  without  interfering  with  its  architectural 
or  constructive  features.  The  domed  ceiling,  divided  into 
numerous  rectangular  panels  of  pale  greenish  blue,  each 
panel  being  embellished  with  a  quaint  golden  sun  in  relief  ; 
the  dull  cream-colored  walls,  with  here  and  there  the  sym- 
bolic grape-vine  and  palm  ;  the  subdued  treatment  of  the 
gallery  front  and  pews— all  tend  to  convey  a  pleasing  sense 
of  coolness  and  distance,  to  which  the  church  was  formerly 
a  stranger. 

This  effect  is  much  heightened  by  the  quiet,  green-toned 
glass  occupying  the  newly  placed  windows.  Of  these  win- 
dows there  are  five  on  either  side  above  the  galleries,  and 
three  or  four  below.  The  treatment  of  the  chancel  con- 
sists of  bright  "  old  ivory  "  tints  relieved  by  a  judicious  use 
of  gold  upon  prominent  mouldings  and  carvings,  produc- 
ing a  soft  yet  sparkling  effect.  This  work  serves  admi- 
rably as  a  frame  for  the  large  picture  above  the  altar,  the 
subject  of  the  picture  being  what  is  technically  known  as 
11  The  Majesty."  Beneath  the  altar-piece  the  walls  are 
covered  with  brocade  draperies,  subdued  in  color,  but  add- 
ing much   to  the  general  effect,  and  forming  a  good  back- 


REOPENING  OF  ST.  MARK'S  IN  THE  BOWERY.      401 

ground  for  the  altar  and  other  furniture.  This  work  of 
decoration  was  done  by  the  Messrs.  Stent  &  Co. 

Other  improvements  have  also  been  effected,  as  a  new 
method  of  gas-lighting,  principally  by  circlets  around  the 
columns  ;  the  placing  of  a  handsome  perforated  brass 
screen  at  the  front  of  the  organ  gallery,  as,  also,  the  plac- 
ing of  brass-work  around  the  chancel  ;  furnishing  the  pews 
and  aisles  with  new  covering,  carpeting,  etc. 

Among  the  new  decorations  is  an  imported  English  paint- 
ing representing  Christ  enthroned.  Above  it  in  gold  let- 
ters is  "  Sanctus,  Sanctus,  Sanctus,''  and  beneath,  "Thou 
art  the  King  of  Glory."  The  beautiful  gilt  cross  just 
above  the  altar  is  a  gift  from  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Rylance,  as  a 
memorial  of  their  son,  whose  death  filled  his  youthful  wife 
and  his  father  and  mother  with  a  degree  of  grief  which 
only  Divine  aid  enabled  them  to  bear  without  sorrowing 
hopelessly.  The  cross  was  fashioned  by  Mr.  Lamb,  the 
eminent  artist,  and  is  of  "  heroic  size,"  made  of  polished 
brass.  It  is  forty-four  inches  high,  with  outlined  trefoil 
ends,  and  stands  upon  a  plain  cavalry  of  three  steps,  upon 
which  is  engraved  : 

IN 

MEMORIAM 

JOSEPH    H.     RYLANCE,    JR. 

BORN 

November  2d,   1858. 

ENTERED  PARADISE 

December  10th, 


The  whole  surface  of  the  cross  is  richly  hand-chased,  with 
a  bold  design  of  passion  vine  entwining  the  centre  panel, 
with  the  letters  "I.  H.  S. ,''  each  end  of  the  cross  receiving 


402  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

a  full-blown  passion  flower  inside  of  the  trefoil  ends,  the 
whole  forming  a  symbolic  Trinity  of  outline  and  design. 

The  Christian  name  of  the  infant  son  of  the  departed  is 
Joseph  Spofford  Boseman.  The  first  name  is  the  name  of 
his  father  and  of  his  grandfather.  The  last  is  the  name 
of  his  maternal  grandfather.  The  fatherless  child  is  a 
bright  and  handsome  boy,  and  a  great  comfort  to  his 
mother,  also  to  his  grandparents.  He  can  now  walk  and 
talk,  and  his  childish  words  dispel  some  of  the  gloom  of  the 
bereaved,  and  his  merry  laugh  diffuses  sunbeams  of  glad- 
ness in  two  houses  of  mourning.  He  is  a  great  pet,  and  if  it 
be  God's  will  to  spare  his  life,  in  a  few  years  he  will  be 
able  to  appreciate  the  inscription  on  the  beautiful  memorial 
altar  cross  in  St.  Mark's  Church,  in  memory  of  his  departed 
father,*  and  with  his  mother  and  grandparents  unite  in 
the  prayer  :  "  O  merciful  God,  .  .  .  we  beseech  Thee  to 
raise  us  from  the  death  of  sin  unto  the  life  of  righteous- 
ness ;  that  when  we  shall  depart  this  life  we  may  rest  in 
Him  ;  and  that  at  the  general  resurrection  on  the  last  day 
we  may  be  found  acceptable  in  Thy  sight,  and  receive  that 
blessing  which  Thy  beloved  Son  shall  then  pronounce  to  all 
who  love  and  fear  Thee.  ,  .  .  Through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Meditator  and  Redeemer.     Amen." 


*  In  Morristovvn,  N.  J.,  is  an  old  house  which  was  once  Washington's 
headquarters.  In  one  of  the  rooms  of  this  house  is  a  framed  document 
of  Governor  William  Livingston's,  dated  July,  1782.  In  August,  1885, 
his  great-granddaughter,  Mrs.  Rylance  (wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  Rylance),  his 
great-great-grandson,  the  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan,  and  his  great-great- 
grandson,  Joseph  Spofford  Boseman  Rylance,  visited  this  building.  The 
custodian  was  glad  the  fact  had  been  recorded. 


IN  MEMORIAM  THE  REV.   S.  II.    TYNG,   SR.t  D.D. 


CHAPTER    X. 

IN    MEMORIAM     THE    REV.    S.     H.     TYNG,     SR.,     D.D. 

The  Doctor  s  Frankness  —  His  Affectionate  Letters  —  He 
Preaches  in  a  Surplice — The  Rev.  Dr.  Williams — The  Rev. 
J  J'.  S.  Rains  ford — The  Surpliced  Choir — The  Old  Gospel 
still  Preached. 

The  author  heard  S.  H.  Tyng,  D.  D.,  in  the  old  church 
in  Beekman  Street,  which  was  usually  filled  with  devout 
worshippers  of  Almighty  God  and  attentive  hearers  of  His 
fearless  messenger.  The  lectures  at  the  week-night  ser- 
vices may  be  compared  with  those  now  delivered  by  rec- 
tors who  implore  their  people  to  "  prepare  for  the  mis- 
sion." Twenty  years  ago  the  author  was  his  guest  in 
the  rectory  of  his  new  church,  and  vividly  remembers  the 
Doctor's  frankness  and  courtesy.  At  that  time  whoever 
appeared  in  a  church  pulpit  arrayed  in  white  was  consid- 
ered "a  priest  with  his  face  Romeward."  While  in  the 
robing-room  to  exchange  the  white  for  the  black—for  many 
Churchmen  considered  the  surplice  orthodox  in  the  chancel, 
but  heterodox  in  the  pulpit— on  a  Sunday  afternoon,  when 
the  author  was  to  preach,  he  said  :  "  Doctor,  how  do  you 
conduct  a  certain  part  of  the  service  ?"  "  Go  ahead,  as  I 
did  this  morning  !"  was  the  answer.  When  in  his  study 
the  preacher  said  :  "  Doctor,  I  have  been  asked  to  preach 
this  evening  in  Zion  Church  ;  as  its  Rt.  Rev.  rector  is 
called  ritualistic,  would  you  advise  me  to  preach  there  ?" 
"  Preach  there  !"'  answered  the  Doctor;   "  I  would  preach 


404  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

in  the  \  devil's  pulpit,'  if  I  could  glorify  my  Master  !"  The 
Doctor  added  :  "  After  the  service  return  to  the  rectory." 
So  soon  as  the  Doctor  heard  the  answer,  "  Thank  you,  I 
will  be  happy  to  do  so  if  it  is  perfectly  convenient  to  you," 
in  a  staccato  tone  he  replied  :  "  Convenient  !  were  it  not 
convenient  I  would  not  have  asked  you  to  prolong  your 
visit." 

Monday  morning  the  Doctor  said  :  "I  arise  very 
early,  to  insure  two  hours  of  undisturbed  quiet  in  this  office 
study.  To  the  free  use  of  the  large  parlor  study  you  are 
welcome  !"  His  guest  did  not  again  disturb  him.  He 
admired  the  Doctor's  hospitality  and  his  honesty.  In 
striking  contrast,  a  rector  in  a  distant  city  said  :  "  Tarry 
longer  at  my  rectory,"  after  which  his  "  tell-tale"  little 
boy  said  :  "  Papa  said  that  he  would  sleep  to-night  in  the 
room  you  have  used."  As  his  valise  was  packed,  he  soon 
said  :  "  Thank  you  for  your  hospitality  ;  good-by."  Dr. 
Tyng  was  very  decided  but  candid,  and  he  did  not  "  lift  up  a 
reproach  against  his  neighbor, "  by  repeating,  "  They  say," 
etc.,  as  if  they  were  glad  to  have  it  so.  If  not  pleased  with 
a  clergyman  or  layman  he  had  the  moral  courage  to  say 
outright  what  He  desired  to  say,  and  not  preface  it  with, 
"  He  is  a  good  man,  but — "  etc.,  as  do  some  "  influential" 
laymen,  who  say  :  "  Our  rector  is  a  good  man,  but  our  peo- 
ple do  not  like  his  preaching. ' '  He  might  have  said  :  ' '  He 
is  a  good  man,  and  therefore  our  people  do  not  admire  his 
'  faithfulness.'  "  When  the  Doctor's  daily  cares  were  over, 
his  face  was  serene  and  his  conversation  cheerful.  He  had 
a  warmer  heart  than  strangers  or  friends  who  annoyed  him 
believed  that  he  possessed.  A  few  years  ago  the  author 
wras  permitted  to  read  his  letters  to  his  son  Dudley,  who, 
before  his  decease,  had  said  :  "  Stand  up  for  Jesus."  The 
letters  are  full  of  faithful  advice,  warm  paternal  affection, 
and  would   make  an   instructive  book  for  young  men  who 


77/ E  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.  S.  //.    TYNG,  />./).      400 

expect  to  be  merchants  or  ministers.  Both  father  and  son 
are  now  with  the  large  army  of  Sunday-school  scholars 
who  were  by  thern  trained  for  usefulness  on  earth,  ant 
nurtured  for  the  bliss  of  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect 
Before  he  "departed  this  life"  many  who  were  saved 
through  God's  blessing  on  his  fearless  preaching  in  Phila 
delphia  and  other  places  died  in  serene  and  joyful  hope, 
and   preceded   him   to   Paradise. 

The  last  time  the  author  heard  the  venerable  Doctor 
preach  in  St.  George's  Church  he  was  surprised  to 
see  him  preach  in  the  surplice.  But  the  change 
showed  that  "  an  old  evangelical"  could  receive  more 
light.  His  step  was  very  feeble,  and  he  looked  as  if 
"not  long  for  this  world  ;"  yet  he  lived  for  several 
years.  The  crowded  church  at  the  time  of  his  funeral 
showed  how  highly  many  persons  respected  him  and  deeply 
mourned  his  departure  The  Gospel  seed  he  had  sown  in 
St.  George's  did  not  all  perish.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Williams 
labored  hard  to  make  productive  what  his  predecessor 
had  sown,  as  well  as  to  scatter  on  the  old  ground  more 
Gospel  seed.  After  he  went  to  Baltimore,  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Perkins  and  Maguire  faithfully  labored  to  prevent  the 
further  depletion  of  the  once  large  congregation.  One 
of  the  wardens  conversed  with  the  author  respecting  the 
desirableness  of  holding  a  parochial  mission.  But  soon  after 
the  present  rector  took  charge  of  St.  George's  a  mission 
was  commenced,  of  which  the  Advent  Mission  was  the 
culmination.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Rainsford,  Parker,  and  Wil- 
son have  a  wide  field  to  cultivate,  but  very  much  to  en- 
courage them.  If  they  continue  to  obey  the  mandate,  "  Go 
forward,"  in  the  future  they  will  have  much  more  to  assure 
them  that  their  united  labors  are  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 


4:06  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE    FUNERAL    OF    THE    REV.    S.     H.     TYNG,    D.D. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng's  Retirement  from  his  Evangelistic  Battle — 
The  Gospel  Warrior  Asleep  in  Jesus — The  Sources  of  his 
Influence  —  The  Funeral  Address — The  Memorial  Sermon — 
Dr.  Tyng  as  an  Orator,  a  Leader,  and  a  much  Beloved  Pastor, 

St.  George'  s  Church  is  draped  in  the  emblems  of  mourn- 
ing, the  outward  symbol  of  the  heart-felt  sorrow  of  the 
large  congregation.  <4  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life" 
changes  the  current  of  thought  of  the  sad-faced  mourners. 
The  coffin  is  placed  in  front  of  the  chancel,  where  the  old 
pulpit  stood  in  which  Dr.  Tyng  for  so  many  years,  in 
clarion  tone,  reiterated  Gospel  facts  ;  in  imperative  tone, 
the  Gospel  precepts  ;  in  magisterial  tone,  the  Gospel 
threatenings  ;  and  in  sympathetic  tone,  the  Gospel  prom- 
ises. Plaintively  the  organist  accompanies  the  surpliced 
choristers  and  the  congregation  as  they  mournfully  sing 
the  Funeral  Psalter  : 

"  The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten  ; 
And  though  men  be  so  strong  that  they  come  to  fourscore  years, 
Yet  is  their  strength  then  but  labor  and  sorrow  ; 
So  soon  passeth  it  away,  and  we  are  gone." 

The  lesson  that  for  eighteen  centuries  has  cheered  be- 
reaved Christians  consoles  the  mourners  over  a  great  man 
in  Israel  departed  : 

"  For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption, 
And  this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality.   .   . 


THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.   S.  //.    TYNG,  D.D.       407 


Then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written  .  .   . 
O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  O  grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  .  .  . 
But  thanks  be  to  God,  who  giveth  us  the  victory 
Through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

The  eloquent  Bossuet  said  :  "  Grand  funeral  processions, 
superb  monuments,  universal  mourning,  are  magnificent 
testimonies  to  man's  nothingness;"  but  the  address  of 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Alfred  Lee,  D.D.,  D.C.L. ,  who  was  conse- 
crated Bishop  forty-four  years  ago,  and  now  the  venerable 
President  of  the  House  of  Bishops,  delivered  the  funeral 
address,  which  showed  that  the  departed  Rector  of  St. 
George's  Church  left  a  monument  of  his  ministerial  faith- 
fulness that  time  cannot  crumble  nor  years  wear  away  the 
inscription  of  his  usefulness. 

The  Bishop  struck  the  definite  chord  of  the  memorial  re- 
quiem, chanted  in  spirit  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  F.  Bedell,  D.D., 
and  the  responsive  congregation  in  St.  George's  Church, 
a  few  days  before  the  commencement  of  the  Advent 
Mission  held  therein. 

On  November  22d,  1886,  in  St.  George's  Church,  the 
Bishop  of  Ohio  preached  a  memorial  sermon,  sketching  the 
departed  rector  and  pastor.  The  following  is  an  outline  of 
the  graphic  picture.  The  sermon,  unmarred  by  condensa- 
tion or  omissions,  may  be  obtained  of  Mr.  Thomas  Whit- 
taker.     The  Bishop  said  : 

11  There  were  giants  in  those  days.  Henshaw,  Hawks, 
the  Johnses,  Bedell,  Milnor,  Eastburn,  Mcllvaine,  Tyng — 
only  Lee  and  D)^er  are  left.  The  death  of  Dr.  Tyng  has 
made  a  wide  gap  in  that  line  of  old-fashioned  evangelical 
Churchmen.  Those  were  the  men  who,  without  flinching, 
bore  the  brunt  of  a  contest  for  principles  which  within  the 
last  half  century  has  decided  the  fate  of  our  Church.  Dr. 
Tyng  was  foremost  among  them. 

11  While  thinking  of  the  days  that  are  past  a  proverb  has 


408  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

been  ringing  in  my  ears — '  Thy  own  friend  and  thy  father's 
friend  forsake  not.'  It  was  written  for  days  of  forgetful- 
ness  like  these,  when  the  present  absorbs  all  thoughts  ;  and 
the  past,  with  the  men  that  created  this  present,  is  com- 
mended to  oblivion. 

"  Not  so  the  members  of  St.  George's.  For  the  most  im- 
pressive incident  of  the  closing  years  of  our  venerated 
friend  has  been  the  faithfulness  of  this  parish  to  the  teach- 
ing of  this  proverb.  Most  of  the  fathers  who  knew  him  in 
his  prime  have  passed  away,  but  the  sons  have  caught  their 
spirit.  A  generous  people  refused  to  '  forsake  '  their  ancient 
pastor,  although  age  and  infirmity  had  terminated  his  use- 
fulness. Their  univearying  care  of  him  during  eight  long 
years  of  silence  is  an  instance  of  fidelity  as  rare  as  it  is 
virtuous  ;  as  pleasing  in  the  eyes  of  men  as  (we  believe  it 
to  be)  commended  of  God. 

11  Obeying  the  spirit  of  this  proverb,  I  come  to-day  to 
offer  a  tribute  of  gratitude  to  God  for  a  valued  friendship, 
unbroken  and  undisturbed,  through  fifty  years. 

"  The  friendship  between  Dr.  Tyng  and  my  father,  which 
had  its  origin  in  the  events  to  which  I  have  alluded,  and  the 
transfer  of  that  affection  to  me  after  my  father's  death,  has 
been  a  very  sacred  treasure.  You  will  appreciate,  then, 
the  peculiar  gladness  with  which  I  accept  this  invitation  of 
the  rector  and  vestry  of  St.  George's  to  pay  a  tribute  of 
affectionate  reminiscence  to  my  father's  friend  and  mine. 

"  A  reminiscence  only.  I  am  not  about  to  attempt  to 
pronounce  a  eulogium  on  Dr.  Tyng.  For  that,  the  eulogist 
should  be  in  some  respects  his  equal,  or  at  least  should  feel 
capable  of  taking  a  just  measure  of  his  character.  I  am 
not  about  to  attempt  a  memoir  of  Dr.  Tyng.  For  that, 
there  is  not  sufficient  space  in  such  a  sermon,  if,  indeed, 
there  were  not  many  here  to-day  who  are  much  more 
familiar  with  the  details,  and  especially  with  the  later  in- 


THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.  S.  //.    TYNG,  />./>.       KM) 

cidents,  of  his  life.  I  am  not  about  to  attempt  to  define 
the  position  which  Dr.  Tyng  made  for  himself  in  the 
Church,  nor  to  prophesy  the  place  which  he  will  hold  in 
its  history.  It  would  be  presumption  in  me  to  ask  of  such 
a  master  builder,  '  What  hast  thou  wrought?'  And  it  is 
too  early  to  question  of  the  future,  '  Where  shall  the  recol- 
lections of  such  a  life  be  crystallized  into  imperishable 
fame?'  I  have  come  simply  to  give  you  reminiscences  of 
Dr.  Tyng.  Imbibing  the  spirit  of  the  proverb,  I  shall  put 
into  words  some  recollections  which,  at  the  same  time,  may 
stir  similar  pleasant  memories  in  your  own  breasts. 

"  Thus  together  we  may  lay  our  tribute  of  gratitude  be- 
fore our  Covenant  God,  thankful  that  Dr.  Tyng  has  lived, 
and  thankful  that  in  dying  he  is  not  dead  ;  thankful  that 
for  so  many  years  we  have  shared  his  friendship,  and  that 
when  we  shall  meet  again  in  presence  of  our  God,  where 
no  mists  will  mar  our  mutual  estimates,  and  each  of  us 
shall  know  as  we  are  known,  we  shall  be  welcomed  to 
heaven  by  so  faithful  a  friend. 

"  It  was  near  the  beginning  of  the  full  development  of 
that  old  controversy  that  the  friendship  between  Dr.  Tyng 
and  my  father  commenced.  It  was  a  friendship  as  pure 
and  firm  as  that  between  David  and  Jonathan,  and  as  last- 
ing. Yet  never  were  characters  more  unlike,  We  often 
notice  that  phenomenon — two  souls  knit  in  perfect  har- 
mony, whose  only  chord  of  sympathy  is  one  overmastering 
common  affection.  In  its  presence  dissimilarities  disap- 
pear. The  one  all  gentleness,  mildness,  suavity  of  man- 
ner and  speech  ;  the  other  quick,  impulsive,  not  a  little 
arbitrary,  always  taking  the  shortest  cut  to  the  truth, 
whether  by  action  or  by  word  :  yet  both  equally  firm  in 
their  attachment  to  evangelical  principles.  I  have  an  im- 
pression that  my  father  was  instrumental  in  securing  the 
removal  of  Dr.  Tyng  from  Georgetown  to  Philadelphia.      I 


410  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

was  a  boy  then,  but  can  hardly  fail  of  interpreting  rightly 
what  I  remember  of  the  very  marked  familiarity  of  inter- 
course that  sprang  up  immediately  between  them.  It 
seems  reasonable  that  Dr.  Bedell  should  seek  for,  and 
secure  at  his  side,  a  coadjutor  of  such  promising  power  as 
was  Mr.  Tyng.  After  the  death  of  Benjamin  Allen,  the  rec- 
tor of  St.  Paul's  Church,  no  other  prominent  representa- 
tives of  his  then  peculiar  views  were  left  in  Philadelphia 
except  Dr.  Bedell  and  his  Missionary  Assistant,  our  late 
Presiding  Bishop,  Dr.  Smith.  But  Mr.  Tyng  was  already 
known  as  a  thoroughly  earnest  and  influential  advocate  of 
evangelical  views.  Although  only  in  the  seventh  year  of 
his  ministry,  those  characteristics  had  developed  in  him 
Avhich  invariably,  and  often  unconsciously  to  themselves, 
compel  men  into  the  position  of  leaders. 

"  My  father  had  long  before  passed  from  a  colder  school 
into  a  warmer  atmosphere  of  theology  when  in  1829  he 
was  joined  by  Mr.  Tyng.  These  two  men  in  Phila- 
delphia, with  Mr.  Milnor  in  New  York,  were  destined  to  be 
especially  .instrumental  in  giving  a  new  current  to  the 
thoughts  of  our  Church.  Then  began  a  conspicuous  re- 
vival of  those  views  of  Evangelical  religion  which  have  at 
last  become  as  substantially  characteristic  of  our  pulpit  as 
they  always  were  of  our  Liturgy.  Conspicuous  exceptions 
only  render  this  general  estimate  the  more  noticeable. 
The  elder  of  the  two,  at  the  age  of  forty-one,  passed  away 
before  the  critical  point  was  reached.  The  younger  lived 
to  stand  as  a  rock  at  that  crisis  in  the  controversy  when 
the  floods  rose  to  their  highest  point,  and  at  a  venerable 
age  rejoiced  in  the  victory  of  truth  and  peace,  long  before 
his  eighty-fifth  year  admitted  him  to  rest. 

"  Looking  back  from  this  age  of  indifference  to  those 
years  which  tried  men's  souls  and  tested  their  beliefs,  we 
cry  impulsively,  with   David,  as  the  mountains  of  Gilboa 


THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV,  S.  II.  7'V.VG,  D.D.       411 


recall  a  vision  of  strife  and  victory,  but  with  losses  to  the 
Church  of  God  :  '  How  are  the  mighty  fallen,  and  the 
weapons  of  war  perished  !  ' 

"  Dr.  Tyng  was  a  man  of  impressive  presence,  of  quick 
decision,  of  true  spirituality  ;  blessed  with  an  accurate  and 
retentive  memory  ;  of  remarkable  self-reliance  and  firm- 
ness of  purpose.  .   .  . 

11  Dr.  Tyng  was  a  strong  thinker,  a  native  orator,  a  man 
whose  vision  of  truth  was  so  clear  and  well  defined  that  he 
could  not  realize  the  meaning  of  contradiction.  .  .  . 
Consequently  his  life  was  a  continual  strife.  .  .  .  In  moral 
warfare  he  lacked  one  quality,  sometimes  useful,  often  dan- 
gerous to  its  possessor — elasticity  or  adaptability.  That 
was  impossible  to  so  strong  a  character.  And  therefore, 
with  all  the  capacity  for  unlimited  leadership,  he  remained 
only  leader  of  a  party.   .   .    . 

"  Dr.  Tyng  was  a  judicious  autocrat.  I  use  the  word  as 
characteristic  of  his  rectorship.  .  .  .  The  pastor  chosen  by 
the  representatives  of  the  congregation,  while  remaining  a 
minister,  becomes  a  rector  ;  and  autocracy  in  the  spiritual 
affairs  of  a  parish  is  one  secret  of  success.  .  .  .  Dr.  Tyng 
understood  this  system  thoroughly,  and  held  in  his  own 
hand  all  the  interlacing  threads  of  its  power.  ...  In  St. 
Paul's  and  the  Epiphany  in  Philadelphia,  in  St.  George's, 
Beekman  Street,  and  St.  George's,  Stuyvesant  Square,  in 
New  York,  the  success  of  Dr.  Tyng's  rectorship  was 
marked.  Harmonious  co-operation  was  never  seriously 
marred.  A  judicious  autocrat  held  the  reins  within  his 
own  province,  and  each  several  vestry  wisely  acknowledged 
his  canonical  autocracy.  That  absurdity  was  never  seen 
beneath  his  flashing  eye — a  flock  divided  within  itself  ;  nor 
a  flock  which  had  assumed  to  lay  the  pastoral  staff  between 
the  horns  of  some  venerable  leader,  while  the  pastor  was 
expected  to  follow  meekly  in  the  rear.      But  his  autocracy 


412  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

was  as  judicious  as  it  was  inflexible.  .  .  .  This  judicious- 
ness was  shown  in  his  management  of  all  that  related  to 
the  spiritual  interests  of  his  parishes,  his  subjects  for  in- 
struction, his  systematic  themes  for  lectures,  his  well-ar- 
ranged prayer-meetings,  devotional,  enlivening,  but  free 
from  unwholesome  excitement  ;  his  Sunday-schools,  won- 
derful for  their  success,  not  only  in  numbers,  but  in  their 
power  of  producing  the  intended  end  :  leading  the  little 
ones  of  his  flock  to  the  Good  Shepherd,  and  keeping  them 
under  His  Divine  guidance  as  years  rolled  by.   .   .   . 

"  One  would  almost  have  been  disposed  to  consider  his 
pastoral  proficiency  to  be  an  instinct,  rather  than  the 
result  of  cultivation,  so  entirely  different  was  the  man 
as  he  passed  from  the  chancel  to  the  home  of  grief  or 
perplexity.  In  the  one,  except  to  those  who  knew  him  well, 
he  seemed,  if  not  to  repel,  at  least,  not  to  invite  personal  in- 
timacy. In  the  other  the  cold  exterior  disappeared  as* 
magically  as  does  the  thin  ice  veil  of  a  November  night 
before  the  morning  sun  when  it  looks  lovingly  into  the 
shadows  of  our  Western  valleys.  To  the  suffering  and  the 
sick  he  was  as  a  father  cherishing  his  children.  Ordinary 
consolations  came  with  extraordinary  warmth  from  his 
heart  of  love.  His  visits  were  reviving,  refreshing,  full  of 
help,  because  illustrated  by  his  own  deep  religious  experi- 
ence, and  enlivened  by  his  abundant  fund  of  incident  and 
anecdote.   .   .   . 

"  His  memory  was  accurate  and  retentive.  You  have 
heard  that  in  his  immense  Sunday-school  in  the  Church  of 
the  Epiphany,  Philadelphia — two  thousand  children — he 
knew  them  all,  and  could  call  every  child  by  name. 

"  I  have  heard  him  repeat,  word  for  word,  a  merely  in- 
cidental remark  made  in  his  presence  three  years  be- 
fore.  .   .  . 

11  Dr.  Tyng  was  almost  unrivalled  in  his  day  as  a  distin- 


Till:   FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.  S.  //.    TYNG.  />./).      413 


guished  orator.  On  the  platform  a  fine  figure,  manly  and 
lirm,  with  a  clear  utterance  and  sonorous  voice,  whenever 
he  rose  to  speak  men  stirred  themselves  to  hearken,  some 
prepared  themselves  to  resist. 

"  His  were  not  honeyed  words,  nor  were  they  tempered 
by  the  temper  of  his  audience.  They  were  truths  as  they 
appeared  to  himself,  and  being  convictions,  carried  in  their 
utterance  all  the  force  of  his  own  decision,  and  the  added 
persuasion  that  all  men  ought  to  believe  them.  His  con- 
temporary, Dr.  Hawks,  was  an  orator  of  another  make. 
Gentle,  graceful,  with  a  voice  of  exquisite  melody,  and 
with  a  charm  of  rhetoric  that  could  not  be  surpassed  ;  firm 
in  his  convictions  of  truth,  but  keen  in  perception  of  the 
temper  of  his  audience,  he  won  his  way  to  the  judgment 
through  the  affections.  When  he  rose  to  speak  men  pre- 
pared themselves  to  be  moved,  and  moved  they  were. 
When  these  two  orators  were  secured  as  advocates  for  any 
cause  the  cause  was  already  won. 

"  In  our  iron  works  in  Ohio  we  have  twro  modes  of  creat- 
ing permanent  impressions.  One,  when  the  furnace  is  at 
white  heat,  running  the  molten  iron  through  it  into 
moulds  ;  then,  without  any  power  of  resistance,  it  is  in- 
duced to  take  the  very  form  which  the  moulder  has  pre- 
pared. That  was  Dr.  Hawks's  method.  The  other  is  the 
anvil  and  the  sledge-hammer,  under  which,  whether  it  be 
a  heated  bar  or  a  cold  slab,  it  is  compelled  to  take  the  de- 
sired form,  and  then  by  rivet  and  strong  arm  is  bolted 
down  forever.  .  .  .  Do  you  not  recognize  Dr.  Tyng  in 
the  text  of  the  first  sermon  that  he  preached  in  St. 
George's  ?— '  Therefore  have  I  set  my  face  like  a  flint  '  (Is. 
50  :  7).  Do  you  not  hear  Dr.  Tyng  as  the  text  reverber- 
ates, '  Is  not  my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  like  a  hammer,  that 
breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces  ? ' 

**  The  characteristic  of  his  eloquence  was  force.     For  he 


414  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

was  undoubtedly,  above  every  characteristic  that  I  have 
mentioned,  an  effective  preacher.  .  .  .  You  do  not  hear  the 
people  say,  '  How  beautiful,'  but  '  How  true.'  You  do  not 
hear  the  whisper,  '  How  well  it  suits  my  neighbor/  but  in 
the  impressive  silence  that  follows,  and  the  unbidden  tear 
that  falls,  one  finds  assurance  that  a  heavenly  voice  is  utter- 
ing within  the  soul,  '  Thou  art  the  man.'  .  .  .  He 
preached  the  Gospel  only  and  continually,  always  some 
phase  of  that  many-sided,  marvellous,  glorious  message, 
'  God  so  loved  the  world  that  He  gave  His  only-begotten 
Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish, 
but  should  have  eternal  life.'   .   .   . 

"  His  preaching  was  remarkable  for  what  it  included. 
It  included  everything  that  God  the  Holy  Ghost  has 
revealed  to  us  concerning  the  love  of  God  the  Father, 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord,  to  a  fallen  race,  spiritually 
ruined,  born  in  sin,  each  and  every  individual  in  it  also  a 
sinner  by  choice,  whose  only  hope  is  in  the  redemption,  the 
Atonement  by  the  precious  blood  of  the  Lamb  slain  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world.  And,  on  the  other  side,  it  in- 
cluded God's  revelation  of  just  indignation  against  every 
one  who  wilfully  neglects  or  despises  His  word  or  His 
mercy. 

"  It  was  especially  remarkable,  as  compared  with  the 
ordinary  teaching  of  these  later  days,  that  these  truths 
were  taken  for  granted.  He  did  not  weary  himself  to 
prove  that  God's  words  were  true,  nor  perplex  himself  or 
his  hearers  by  endeavoring  to  explain  or  explain  away 
what  God  had  spoken.  He  took  for  granted  that  when  God 
said,  '  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die,'  it  was  not  only 
true,  but  intended  to  be  believed  ;  and  that  that  death, 
however  it  might  be  phrased,  was  death,  and  therefore  to 
be  dreaded  and  escaped  from  by  a  living  soul.  He  took 
for  granted  that  when  Christ  said,  '  Except  a  man  be  born 


THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.  S.  II.   TYNG%D.D.       fclfi 

again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God,'  He  meant  it,  and 
that  every  man  who  enters  the  kingdom  must  be  born 
again — converted,  he  meant  ;  and  that  therefore  every  man 
who  is  not  certain  that  he  has  been  born  again,  in  the  sense 
in  which  Jesus  used  that  term  when  speaking  to  a  member 
of  the  Church — a  good  man,  a  man  who  had  entered  the 
Church  by  the  initial  rite,  and  partook  of  the  Passover 
every  year  according  to  the  law — will  never  see  the  king- 
dom of  God,  however  he  may  be  surrounded  by  sacra- 
ments, or  protected  by  the  battlements  of  the  Church.   .   .   . 

"  The  efficacy  of  the  Atonement  ;  the  only  mode  of  secur- 
ing salvation  in  Christ  by  believing  God's  promise  through 
the  propitiatory  sacrifice  of  Christ  ;  the  communion  of  the 
saints  on  earth  the  true  Catholic  Church  ;  the  resurrection 
of  the  body  and  the  life  everlasting  the  grand  outcome  of 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  it  shall  pass  into  the  majestic  glories 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  :  truth  because  revealed  in  the 
Bible — these,  in  brief,  were  the  themes  of  his  preach- 
ing.  .   .   . 

11  Next,  his  preaching  was  remarkable  for  what  it  did  not 
contain.  In  these  days  what  will  you  not  hear  in  many  so- 
called  Christian  pulpits  ?  Defences  of  spiritual  religion, 
by  whatever  arguments  you  can  conceive,  that  have  no 
spirituality  in  them.  Explanations  of  mysteries,  purposely 
left  unexplained  by  revelation  as  an  exercise  of  faith  ;  ex- 
planations which  reduce  them  to  the  common  ground  of 
things  seen,  and  naturalize  the  Gospel.  Denials  of  explicit 
teaching  of  Scripture,  merely  because  the  hearer  or  the 
teacher  is  as  yet  incapable  of  fathoming  the  mind  of  the 
Omniscient  Jehovah.  You  never  heard  Dr.  T3rng  giving  a 
lecture  on  science,  or  art,  or  the  humanities,  when  he  sup- 
posed that  he  was  preaching  the  Gospel.  You  never  heard 
Dr.  Tyng  attempting  to  reconcile  the  Gospel  with  cheories 
of  creation  which  in  the  last  analysis  deny  human  responsi- 


416  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

bility,  deny  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  deny  the  need  or 
the  possibility  of  a  Christ,  and  the  very  being  of  God. 
^Esthetic  Ritualism  leading  to  doctrinal  Ritualism,  and 
that  leading  directly  to  Agnosticism  and  fatalism  by  its  re- 
duction of  all  things  spiritual  to  a  bare  materialism  ;  salva- 
tion by  things  seen,  not  by  things  unseen — these  are  the 
abhorrent  teachings  which  had  no  place  in  his  visions  of 
the  Cross  ;  which  could  never  be  found  in  his  vocabulary 
of  the  Gospel. 

"  Remarkable  for  all  that  it  included,  and  equally  re- 
markable for  what  it  excluded,  Dr.  Tyng's  other  source  of 
efficiency  was  the  personality  of  his  address.  His  sermons 
were  a  dialogue.  It  was  I  and  Thou.  Many  preachers 
have  equalled  him  in  clear  annunciation  and  exposition  of 
Gospel  truth,  but  few  have  shown  his  skill  and  power  in 
forcing  the  truth  up  to  the  very  door  of  individual  con- 
science. .  .  .  Every  man  felt  that  Dr.  Tyngwas  speaking 
to  him.  .  .  .  '  Who  is  on  the  Lord's  side  ?'  you  hear  him 
say  ;  and  you  do  not  wonder  that  he  draws  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  and  makes  a  direct  attack  on  the  man  full 
panoplied  in  habits  of  sin,  in  contempt  or  indifference  to 
the  King.  He  looks  him  in  the  eye.  '  Thou  art  the  man.' 
There  are  no  honeyed  words,  no  gentle  hopes  that  in  some 
unknown  way  this  sinner  against  grace  may  yet  manage  to 
escape  the  wrath  to  come.  '  He  that  is  not  with  me  is 
against  me.'  '  He  that  believeth  not  is  condemned  al- 
ready/ It  is  not  the  world  that  he  is  talking  to.  It  is  not 
the  Church.  It  is  not  the  respectable  members  of  respec- 
table society  who  gather  in  the  pews  to  pass  an  hour  of  the 
Sabbath,  and  listen  patiently  as  to  an  oft-told  tale.  But  it 
is  he,  the  unconverted  man.  This  is  Moody's  power — 
the  power  of  the  generation  of  preachers  in  our  Church 
that  is  past — past  !     Alas  !  and  gone.   .   .   . 

11  This    personality    of   address,    this    individualism    in 


THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE  REV.   S.  If.    TYNG,  D.D.       117 

preaching,  were  equally  manifest  in  Dr.  Tyng's  dealing 
with  the  real  members  of  Christ  in  his  congregations.  But 
then  it  had  a  different  tone.  The  gentleness  of  Christ  sub- 
dued the  warrior.  And  the  peaceful,  peace-giving  loveli- 
ness of  the  Gospel  came  with  redoubled  influence  from  the 
lips  that  had  been  breathing  God's  just  indignation  against 
the  wicked.  There  was  something  in  the  effect  of  contrast, 
but  more  in  the  realization  that  this  Gospel  of  grace  had 
transformed  the  preacher.  The  hearer  confided  in  one 
who  knew  of  what  he  was  speaking.  And  every  fruit  of 
the  Spirit,  and  all  the  consolations  of  religion,  followed 
into  the  hearts  of  those  who  were  ready  to  receive  them. 
There,  also,  it  was  the  dialogue  between  experiences,  the 
experience  of  the  teacher  and  the  experience  of  the  scholar  ; 
it  was  I  and  Thou,  and  effective  because  of  its  personal- 
ity. .    .   . 

11  I  have  finished  the  outline.  It  is  a  sketch  of  the  public 
man,  of  the  man  as  the  world  knew  him.  I  could  not  fill 
up  the  picture  without  trenching  on  a  sphere  where  a  man 
has  a  right  to  feel  that  he  is  alone  with  God,  and  reveals 
himself,  if  at  all,  only  to  a  few.  But  I  have  failed  in  the 
delineation  if  you  are  not  conscious  that  Dr.  Tyng  was  a 
dual  man.  There  were  two  sides  to  his  character — the 
natural,  where  his  peculiar  native  gifts  exhibited  their 
power  under  the  control  of  a  thorough  self-consecration  to 
the  service  of  Christ  ;  and  the  spiritual,  where  his  natural 
qualities  were  converted,  held  under  the  sweet  control  of 
Divine  grace  ;  where  gentleness  arid  calmness,  sympathy 
and  devout  affection,  marked  the  mighty  man— two 
different  persons  ;  and  among  his  congregations  they  only 
saw  both  sides  of  his  character,  who,  under  Providei.-ial 
dispensations  needed  commiseration  and  brotherly  care, 
or  sought  and  deserved  his  confidence.  ...  These  made 
him  the  judicious  autocrat,  the  able  executive,  the  eloquent 


418  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

orator,  the  effective  preacher.  But  it  was  another  man 
whose  visit  to  the  bedside  of  the  sick  was  as  refreshing  as 
the  breath  from  the  cedars  of  Libanus  ;  whose  voice  by  the 
couch  of  the  dying  was  like  the  melody  of  angels,  and 
seemed  to  open  heaven  to  the  worn  and  weary  spirit.  It 
was  the  other  man  who  counselled  in  distress,  who  put  his 
strong  arm  patiently  and  lovingly  round  discouragement, 
or  with  skilful  fingers  bound  up  the  broken-hearted.  It 
was  the  other  man  upon  whose  knees  the  children  loved  to 
climb,  and  listen,  as  to  the  music  of  the  spheres,  while  his 
fertile  imagination  wove  wondrous  creations  for  their  in- 
struction or  amusement.   .   .   . 

"  This  was  the  man  new  born  of  the  Spirit,  whose  heart 
the  Lord  had  touched,  whose  life  was  hid  with  Christ  in 
God,  who  amid  all  the  tumults  and  conflicts  of  his  con- 
secrated nature  was  daily  becoming  more  and  more  Christ- 
like, more  and  more  conformed  to  the  image  of  God's  dear 
Son. 

"  The  reminiscence  of  one  scene  in  our  intercourse  with 
him  in  later  years  illustrates  this  contrast  and  completes 
my  story.  We  were  talking  of  the  love  of  Christ,  and  of 
the  heavenly  rest.  Suddenly  he  stopped,  and  said,  '  You 
remember  the  hymn  : 

1  "  There,  anchored  safe,  my  weary  soul 
Shall  find  eternal  rest."  ' 

"  Yes  !  we  thought  ;  and  how  significant  of  the  hopes  of 
the  sturdy  character  before  us,  the  man  of  conflicts  and 
turmoil,  to  whom  amid  the  storms  of  life  God's  Provi- 
dence has  granted  scarcely  one  tranquil  hour.  How  glad 
a  moment  when  he  shall  find  his  bark  safe  anchored  in  the 
harbor,  and  his  soul  at  rest  that  side  the  breakers  ! 

11  '  No  !'  he  exclaimed,  '  I  never  want  tc  sing  that  old 
version  of  the  hymn  as  in  our  Praver-Book  : 


THE  FUNERAL   OF  THE  REV.   S.  //.    TYNG,   D.D.      419 

'  "  There,  anchored  safe,  my  weary  soul 
Shall  find  eternal  rest  : 
Nor  storms  shall  beat  nor  billows  roll 
Across  my  peaceful  breast." 

"  '  I  do  not  want  to  be  anchored  ;  I  do  not  like  to  think 
of  the  chain  cable,  and  the  iron  flukes,  and  the  hard  rock, 
nor  of  the  cold  beating  storms, and  the  heavy  rolling  billows. 
No — .'  Then,  looking  up,  an  expression  of  wrapt  peace 
came  over  his  noble  countenance  ;  he  stretched  out  his 
hands,  gently,  and  said,  slowly,  in  the  most  tender  tones, 
and  emphasizing  every  word  : 

"  '  There  shall  I  bathe  my  weary  soul 
In  seas  of  heavenly  rest, 
And  not  a  wave  of  trouble  roll 
Across  my  peaceful  breast.'  " 

THE    REV.    DR.     TYXG     A    PRACTICAL    MISSIONER. 

The  earnest  Bishop  of  Western  New  York,  who  for  years 
has  been  deeply  interested  in  special  services  for  the  pro- 
motion of  growth  in  grace  and  the  conversion  of  the  god- 
less, and  desires  that  more  rectors  in  his  diocese  may  soon 
welcome  parochial  missions,  recently  told  the  author  that 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Milnor,  the  predecessor  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng 
as  rector  of  St.  George's  Church,  Beekman  Street,  was 
deeply  interested  in  special  revival  services.  During  the 
season  of  Lent  Dr.  Milnor's  sermons  were  practically  mis- 
sion sermons,  and  their  influence  was  not  limited  to  his 
parishioners.  Before  closing  the  memorial  address  in 
St.  George's  Church,  the  Bishop  of  Ohio  said  :  "  How 
Dr.  Tyng  would  have  rejoiced  to  share  in  the  mission  which 
you  have  inaugurated  in  St.  George's,  and  which  is  to 
welcome  Advent  Sunday  in  so  many  churches  in  New  York  ! 
Blessed  is  the  Bishop  who  has  his  quiver  full  of  such  pas- 
tors !  Missions  were  no  novelty  in  Dr.  Tyng's  day.  Then 
they  were  called  '  revivals.'     I  like  the  old  name  better,  be- 


420  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

cause  it  indicates  that  revival  precedes  mission  ;  that  a 
revival  in  the  heart  of  the  pastor  and  in  the  earnest  praying 
people  of  his  flock  must  go  before  the  hope  of  being  ef- 
fectual in  carrying  the  news  of  the  Gospel  outside  of  the 
Church.  But  by  whatever  name  you  call  this  rose  of 
Sharon  in  the  Garden  of  the  Lord,  blessed  be  its  perfume  ! 
Only  let  the  Gospel  be  clear,  distinct  in  its  fulness  and  in 
its  freeness,  redolent  of  the  mercies  of  our  Lord,  bathed  in 
the  blood  of  the  Atonement,  sanctified  by  the  prayers  of  the 
faithful,  borne  up  and  borne  on  upon  the  faith  of  those  who 
believe  that  God  will  be  true  to  His  word.  Then  such  a 
refreshing  will  come  upon  you  from  the  Spirit  of  all  grace 
as  will  at  last  bring  the  realities  of  this  Advent  to  take 
their  proper  place  among  the  realities  of  your  daily  walk 
with  Christ." 

There  are  those  who  sorrow  over  the  circumstance  that 
the  praise  in  St.  George's  Church  is  led  by  a  choir  of  sur- 
pliced  men  and  boys.  But  the  sight  on  any  Sunday 
morning  of  the  vast  congregation  which  fills  St.  George's, 
listening  to  the  unchanged  Gospel  of  Christ,  ought  to  turn 
sorrow  into  joy,  and  should  be  the  assurance  that  what  Dr. 
Tyng  held  most  dear  is  still  faithtfully  preached  and  gladly 
received  in  the  church  he  loved  so  well  and  of  which  he 
was  so  long  the  beloved  and  devoted  rector. 


THE  MISSION  AT  ST.  GEORGE'S  CHURCH.  121 


CHAPTER   XII. 

THE    MISSION    AT    ST.    GEORGE'S    CHURCH,    NEWBURG. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Parish  Active — The  Mission 
Services — Large  Congregations — Services  for  Men  only — For 
Women  only — Results  of  the  Mission. 

The  rector,  the  Rev.  Octavius  Appelgate,  S.T.D.,  though 
one  of  the  Mission  Committee  as  originally  appointed  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  and  taking  an  earnest 
part  in  its  counsels,  had  no  idea  of  having  a  mission  in  his 
own  church  until  June  2d,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stephens, 
two  days  before  his  return  to  England,  offered  him  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Aitken  and  himself  for  the  time  dur- 
ing which  they  were  to  have  been  in  Baltimore.*  So  rare 
an  opportunity  of  much  possible  good  could  not  be  re- 
fused ;  and  when  it  was  announced  to  the  congregation, 
the  people,  feeling  they  had  not  sought  the  mission,  but 
that  it  had  come  to  them,  prepared  for  it  with  a  diligence, 
prayerfulness,  and  expectation  of  blessing  that  would  have 
been  a  great  advantage  in  itself,  had  the  mission  not  been 
promised.  The  city  was  carefully  canvassed,  and  much 
visiting  done.  Meetings  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  parish  as 
well  as  of  the  ladies  were  held  for  explanation  and  to  make 

*  The  Rev.  J.  Stephens  visited  America  several  months  in  advance,  in 
order  to  arrange  for  the  New  York  Advent  Mission,  and  then  returned  to 
England.     Afterward  he  arrived  with  Missioner  Aitken. 


422  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

arrangements.  A  large  choir  practised  the  special  hymns 
to  be  used. 

"  On  October  17th,  the  Saturday  following  the  retreat 
at  Garrison's,  addresses  were  made  by  both  missioners 
to  a  large  congregation  of  Church  workers.  The  mission 
continued  for  two  weeks.  All  of  the  services  were  well 
attended,  and  every  evening  the  church  was  overcrowd- 
ed. There  was  a  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion 
every  day.  Every  morning  there  was  a  sermon  on  the 
Christian  Life  and  a  meeting  for  special  intercessions. 
Every  afternoon  a  service  for  children  was  held,  also  a 
meeting  for  women,  conducted  by  Mrs.  Crouch  and  Miss 
Parker.  These  were  held  for  one  week  in  the  church 
Sunday-school  room  and  for  one  week  at  the  mission 
chapel.  On  Sundays  there  were  three  celebrations  of 
Holy  Communion.  Special  services  were  held  for  men 
only  on  Sunday  afternoons,  which  will  never  be  forgotten 
by  those  who  attended  them.  The  second  Sunday,  at  four, 
a  churchful  of  children  pouted  out  through  waiting  ranks 
of  men,  who  quickly  filled  the  church. 

While  the  mission  at  St.  George's  Church,  Newburg, 
N.  Y.,  in  some  of  its  features  differed  much  from  what 
rector  and  people  had  expected,  both  are  devoutly  thankful 
that  it  was  held,  and  feel  that  both  congregation  and  com- 
munity have  received  an  impulse  to  more  earnest  faith  and 
godliness.  The  spiritual  life  of  the  Church  was  quickened, 
zeal  inflamed,  faith  strengthened,  energy  called  forth  ;  and 
many  of  the  ungodly  and  impenitent  were  alarmed  and 
convinced  ;  and,  as  in  the  apostolic  days,  the.  Lord  has  since 
added  to  the  Church  those  who  shall  be  saved.  Missioner 
Aitken's  sermons,  his  appeals,  his  prayers,  affected  both 
mind  and  heart,  and  from  the  first  he  went  on  advancing 
in  power  and  usefulness.  The  mission  forms  a  bright  spot 
in  the  history  of  Newburg,  and  for  years  to  come  its  blessed- 


THE  MISSION  AT  ST.   GEORGE'S  CHURCH. 


ness  will  be  felt  and  enjoyed."  At  the  same  time  that 
Missioner  Aitken  was  preaching  the  gospel  in  St.  George's 
Church,  Evangelist  Moody  was  also  conducting  revival 
services  in  Newburg.  They  always  meet  each  other  with 
mutual  pleasure,  for  years  ago  Mr.  Moody  earnestly  advised 
him  to  resign  as  the  vicar  of  Everton,  Liverpool,  England, 
and  henceforth  to  "  do  the  work  of  an  Evangelist." 


424  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    ST.    LUKE'S    CHURCH,    BROOKLYN. 

One  of  the  Preparatory  Services —  The  Mission  Commenced —  The 
Growing  Interest — Statistics  of  Results — The  Rector  and  Par- 
ish Encouraged. 

On  Friday,  October  16th,  the  rector  of  St.  Luke's  Church 
(the  Rev.  G.  R.  Van  De  Water)  held  a  meeting  of  the  men  of 
the  parish.  About  forty  were  present.  The  plan  and  ob- 
ject of  the  contemplated  mission  was  set  forth,  and  freedom 
was  given  to  those  present  to  express  their  views.  Eight 
laymen  responded  in  a  frank  spirit  of  discussion,  and  ail 
offered  their  individual  assistance  to  the  rector.  On  Tues- 
day, October  20th,  volunteers  for  actual  work  were  invited 
to  meet  in  the  guild  room  at  the  Parish  Hall.  There  were 
thirty-five  present,  and  the  rector  said  that  no  one  was 
asked  to  act  unless  inclined  to  do  so  from  a  heartfelt  in- 
terest in  the  mission.  Four  committees  were  formed  :  (1) 
to  see  to  the  seating  of  the  congregation,  preserve  order, 
distribute  service-books,  etc.  ;  (2)  to  circulate  information, 
distribute  pamphlets  at  factories,  shops,  lines  of  travel,  and 
through  the  press  ;  to  make  known  the  design  of  the  ser- 
vices ;  (3)  to  lead  the  musical  portion  of  the  services,  and 
to  take  positions  in  various  parts  of  the  church  and  chapel 
for  that  purpose  ;  (4)  on  spiritual  work,  to  make  personal 
visitations,  and  aid  in  the  more  confidential  work. 

The  different  committees  acted  with  alacrity,  and  evinced 


THE  MISSION  IX  ST.  LUKE'S  CHURCH.  428 

a  spirit  of  earnestness  which  promised  sincere  co-opera- 
tion with  the  clergy.  The  "  auxiliary,"  comprising  the 
women-workers  of  the  parish,  organized  committees  to 
act  in  similar  capacities  among  the  women  of  the  various 
classes  for  which  the  special  services  were  designed.  The 
children  held  stated  meetings  and  practised  hymns  ;  and 
their  special  services  were  of  a  suitable  character. 

On  the  evening  of  October  31st,  1885,  a  preliminary  mis- 
sion meeting  was  held  in  the  Sunday-school  room  of  St. 
Luke's,  intended  for  the  workers  who  had  already  been 
organized  into  several  committees  for  separate  purposes. 

On  the  Sunday  following  the  mission  opened  with  reg- 
ular morning  service,  at  which  time  the  Rev.  W.  Hay 
McDowell  Aitken  preached  to  a  crowded  gathering, 
principally  parishioners.  The  afternoon  was  devoted  to 
a  men's  meeting,  at  which,  though  the  weather  was  un- 
favorable, some  two  hundred  or  more  were  present.  The 
following  Sunday  a  similar  service  for  men  was  held, 
at  which  some  four  hundred  were  present,  although  it 
rained  heavily.  For  two  weeks,  Saturdays  excepted,  from 
four  to  seven,  separate  daily  services  were  held  in  St. 
Luke's  Church  and  the  Sunday-school  room  adjoining. 
The  evening  services  were  well  attended  at  first,  but  it  re- 
mained till  the  second  week  before  the  church  (which  ac- 
commodates eight  or  nine  hundred  people)  could  be  said 
to  be  really  full.  The  majority  of  those  who  attended  were 
from  other  parishes,  and  other  worshippers,  and  so,  alto- 
gether, a  wide  influence  was  exerted. 

At  the  morning  service  Bishop  Littlejohn  delivered  a 
fervent  address  on  "  The  Value  of  the  Parochial  Mission." 
He  showred,  (1)  The  Church  must  be  as  wide  and  flexible  in 
its  methods  as  the  nature  which  it  would  lead  to  Christ  ; 
(2)  There  is  no  ground  to  fear  the  fullest  play  and  counter- 
play  of  the   Church's   centrifugal   and  centripetal  forces; 


426  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


(3)  The  life  without  the  Church  and  the  life  within  the 
Church  give  abundant  evidence  of  the  need  and  value 
of  the  parochial  mission.  The  Bishop  closed  his  address 
"by  alluding  to  the  revival  in  England,"  which  began 
with  the  Wesleys  in  the  last  century,  and  rolled  up  its 
mighty  army  of  itinerating  evangelists,  for  which  the 
cold,  regular,  respectable  religion  of  the  Mother  Church 
could  find  no  room,  and  which  finally,  in  an  evil  hour, 
parted  with  its  heritage  of  apostolic  order,  largely  because 
of  the  unwisdom  of  its  duly  ordained  guardians. 

The  Church  is  seeking  to  recover  and  bring  10  the  front 
more  and  more  gifts  and  powers  which  have  gone  to  rust 
for  lack  of  using.  She  is  rounding  out,  more  and  more, 
her  own  consciousness  and,  with  that,  her  modes  of  wor- 
ship, her  styles  of  preaching,  her  methods  of  practical 
activity,  so  as  to  bring  them  all  up  to  the  level  of  her  al- 
ways Catholic  heritages.  She  is  for  all  men,  and  to  all 
she  must  speak.  She  is  for  the  ages,  and  to  each  she 
must  present  Christ  as  the  fulness  of  Him  who  filleth  all 
in  all. 

As  a  final  result  of  the  mission  in  St.  Luke's  church, 
Brooklyn,  more  than  two  hundred  letters  of  acknowledg- 
ment of  good  received  were  sent  to  the  rector  ;  but 
continuously,  and  to  this  writing,  even  more  substantial 
and  manifest  fruits  of  the  mission  abound  on  all  sides, 
more  to  be  valued  than  the  ready  demonstrations  by 
immediate  communications.  From  those  initial  services 
there  were  ready  scores  to  herald  the  blessing  to  the 
parishes  which  followed  with  the  same  services  in  New 
York,  so  that  the  indirect  good  can  hardly  be  defined. 
Distant  parishes  as  far  south  as  New  Orleans,  from  the 
West  and  East,  directed  frequent  letters  to  the  rector 
and  parishioners  of  St.  Luke's,  and  replies  quickened  and 
aided  their  efforts  in  advance  of  any  actual  services.      Sev- 


7  7/  E  Ml  SSI  c  KV  IN  ST.  L  UKE '  S  CII  URi  '11.  427 


eral  parishes  in  Brooklyn  instituted  similar  services  with 
good  and  marked  results.  No  doubt  but  future  missions 
in  the  diocese  of  Long  Island  will  embrace  the  active  co- 
operation of  many  parishes.  The  geographical  location  of 
St.  Luke's  did  not  offer  the  advantage  of  attracting  the 
working  classes  as  they  are  known,  nor  to  attract  the  at- 
tention of  the  great  throngs  which  streamed  by  on  avenues 
just  sufficiently  distant  to  escape  notice.  The  mission  in 
St.  Luke's,  however,  will  ever  prove  of  historic  interest, 
and  now  promises  to  leave  an  impress  that  will  be  more 
valued  as  time  rolls  on,  to  be  added  to  the  inestimable 
fruits  already  garnered. 

As  statistics  of  results,  the  following  is  a  partial  sum- 
mary : 

ist.  A  large  number  of  strangers  attend  the  parish 
services. 

2d.  All  the  organizations  of  the  parish  were  recruited  by 
the  accession  of  new  members. 

3d.  A  general  revival  of  interest  is  seen  in  the  increased 
offerings  and  general  enthusiasm. 

4th.  Over  thirty  new  families  on  whom  to  work  for 
months  to  come,  brought  to  attention  through  the  services. 

5th.  Mutual  and  valuable  benefits  secured  through  a 
committee  of  laymen,  who,  under  the  direction  of  the  rec- 
tor, called  personally  upon  heads  of  families  and  conversed 
with  them  regarding  spiritual  duties. 

6th.  Larger  numbers  attending  the  early  celebrations  of 
the  Holy  Communion. 

7th.  Success  of  an  effort  to  secure  subscribers  for  a 
weekly  church  paper,  by  which  more  than  double  the  former 
number  has  been  obtained. 

8th.  A  large  number  of  persons  who  were  benefited  by 
the  mission  indicated  its  nature  by  complying  with  the 
requests  on  the  following  leaflet  : 


428  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE      MISSION. 

St.  Luke's  Church,  Brooklyn, 
1885. 


Please  put  a  X  before  any  of  the  following  questions  which  you  wish 
to  answer  in  the  affirmative,  and  sign  your  name  and  address  at  the 
bottom  of  the  paper. 


Will  you  join  St.  Luke's  Guild  or  Auxiliary  ? 


Do  you  wish  to  be  confirmed  ? 


j  Do  you  wish  to  join  a  Bible  Class  for  Young  Men  ? 


Do  you  wish  to  join  a  Bible  Class  for  Young  \V< 


Do  you  wish  to  join  our  Communicants'  Union  ? 


Will  you  join  a  Bible  Class  for  Ladies  ? 


Do  you  wish  to  become  a  Sunday-School  Teacher  i 


Are  you  willing  to  undertake  any  work  for  God  ? 


Do  you  wish  to  speak  with  your  Rector  on  any  of  the  above  subjects  ? 


Has  the  Mission  been  in  any  way  a  great  blessing  to  you  ? 


Name- 


Kindly  place  this  paper  in  the  Box  at  the'entrance  to  the  Church. 

Your  faithful  Friends, 

W.  HAY  AITKEN,       )   Ar 

\.    MlSSIOXERS. 

JAMES  STEPHENS,   ) 

GEO.  R.  VAN  DE  WATER,  Rector. 


PRA  YER  FOR  FAMILY  AND    PRIVATE   USE, 


The  mission  literature  extensively  circulated  included 
prayers  for  family  and  private  use.  God,  who  is  merciful 
and  gracious,  and  forgives  the  sins  of  all  who  are  truly 
penitent,  during  the  New  York  Advent  Mission  heard  and 
answered  the  petitions  in  the  following  comprehensive 
prayer : 

PRAYER    IN    BEHALF    OF    THE    MISSION. 

O  Almighty  God,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  didst  not  spare  Thine  only  Son,  but  didst  de- 
liver Him  up  for  us  all,  we  come  unto  Thee  with  all  con- 
fidence of  access  by  the  faith  of  Him.  Thou  hast  said 
that  if  we  ask  anything  according  to  Thy  will,  Thou 
hearest  us.  We  ask  Thee,  then,  to  bless  with  Thy  favor 
the  effort  about  to  be  made  in  this  place  for  the  extension 
of  Thy  kingdom.  Pour  out,  we  beseech  Thee,  of  Thy 
Spirit  upon  us  all — upon  the  mission  preachers,  that  they 
may  come  among  us  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ  ;  upon  our  own  ministers  and  their  fellow- 
workers,  that  they  may  be  filled  with  love  for  souls,  and 
zeal  for  Thy  glory  ;  upon  ourselves,  that  we  may  open  our 
hearts  to  receive  the  message  which  Thou  sendest  us  and 
may  set  ourselves  earnestly  to  seek  Thy  face.  Give  to  us 
all  the  Spirit  of  grace  and  of  supplication,  the  Spirit  of 
power  and  of  love,  and  of  a  sound  mind.  Take  from  us 
all  coldness,  deadness,  and  indifference  to  eternal  things. 
Have  especial  mercy,  we  pray  Thee,  upon  those  of  us  who 
as  yet  know  Thee  not.  Bring  us  to  know  Thee,  and  Jesus 
Christ  whom  Thou  hast  sent.  Build  up,  we  beseech  Thee, 
those  of  us  who  already  know  and  love  Thee  in  our  most 
holy  faith  ;  stablish,  strengthen,  settle  us,  and  make  us 
faithful  in  every  good  word  and  work.  Magnify  Thy 
Word,  and  fulfil  Thy  promise,  and  baptize  us  all  with  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Let  it  be  seen,  O  God,  that  Thou  art  still 
the   same  Lord,    waiting  to  be  gracious,  not  willing  that 


430  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repent- 
ance. 

A.nd  now,  Lord,  what  wait  we  for  ?  Truly  our  hope  is 
even  in  Thee.  Shut  not  Thy  merciful  ears  to  our  prayer. 
Hear  from  heaven  Thy  dwelling-place,  and  do  Thou  for  us 
more  than  we  know  how  to  ask  or  think. 

Let  the  Redeemer  see  in  us  of  the  travail  of  His  soul, 
and  be  satisfied.  We  ask  everything  for  His  name's  sake. 
Amen  and  Amen. 


PREFATORY   NOTES.  431 


PART   V. 


PREFATORY    NOTES. 

"who  originated  the  parochial  mission?" 

Some  Churchmen  have  manifested  undue  sensitiveness  at 
any  intimation  that  a  "  parochial  mission"  is  analogous 
to  a  "  Methodist  or  any  denominational  revival,"  and 
have  taken  great  pains  to  assure  the  public  that  such  is 
not  the  case.  But  if  a  mission  or  revival  is  blessed  by 
Almighty  God,  and  slumberers  in  Zion  are  aroused  and 
lost  sinners  saved,  like  St.  Paul,  let  us  rejoice,  if  by  any 
means  "  Christ  is  preached  and  the  Gospel  furthered." 

"  We  should  seize  upon  truth  where'er  'tis  found, 
Among  our  friends,  among  our  foes, 
On  Christian  or  on  heathen  ground  ; 
The  truth's  divine,  where'er  it  grows." 

Looking  through  the  historic  telescope  of  the  thirteenth 
century,  we  see  the  learned  and  zealous  St.  Dominic*  erect 
the  standard  of  the  cross  in  market-places  and  in  public 
squares  ;  also  in  the  vicinity  of  churches,  abbeys,  and 
cathedrals.  The  "  secular  clergy"  in  the  south  of  France 
consider  him  an  intruder,  a  trespasser,  and  an  innovator  on 
customs  long  established,  and  desire  him  to  withdraw  from 
their  parochial  boundaries.  Some  are  as  much  excited  as 
were  members  of  the  Sanhedrin  when  Apostles  "  preached 


"  Domingo  de  Gurman."     See  Independent,  December  3,  p.  5. 


432  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Christ  "  in  the  vicinity  of  the  synagogues  and  temple  ;  and 
as  were  the  traders  in  the  silver  trinkets  made  by  Demetrius 
for  the  shrines  of  the  goddess  Diana,  when  St.  Paul 
preached  at  Ephesus,  and  they  uproariously  cried  :  "  Our 
craft  is  in  danger  !  Listen  !  "  Even  the  secular  clergy 
dare  not  preach,  for  preaching  is  an  Episcopal  prerogative  ! 
The  shepherd's  staff  is  the  symbol  that  teaching  is  an 
Episcopal  function  !  The  shepherd's  crook  is  the  sign  of 
the  Bishop's  pastoral  jurisdiction  !  Depart  at  once  from 
our  domain,  or  the  bishops  will  soon  inhibit  "  you  from 
preaching  anywhere." 

St.  Dominic  departs,  but  he  goes  to  Rome,  and  obtains 
the  Pope's  authority  to  itinerate  and  "  do  the  work  of  an 
evangelist."  After  his  return  to  France,  he  organizes  an 
order  of  missioners,  called  "  the  Dominicans  ;"  but  as  on 
the  outside  of  their  white  vestment  they  wore  a  black  cloak, 
they  were  named  the  "  Black,  or  Preaching  Friars."  In 
view  of  the  large  additions  to  the  churches  through  this 
departure  from  the  parochial  modes  of  the  "  secular 
clergy,"  the  Franciscans,  the  Carmelites,  the  Augustinians, 
and  other  monastic  orders,  in  imitation  of  the  Dominicans, 
itinerated  as  missioners,  and  soon  became  the  great  street 
preachers  of  the  times  in  which  they  lived. 

After  the  Reformation  a  new  order  of  missioners  was 
organized,  called  "  the  Society  of  Jesus  ;"  and  as  in  their 
mission  modes  they  avoided  the  mistakes  of  their  predeces- 
sors, and  adopted  what  was  excellent  and  of  good  report, 
they  soon  surpassed  them  in  efficiency  and  influence.  They 
included  the  Oblates,  the  Lazarists,  the  Redemptorists, 
and  the  Passionists.  The  congregation  of  St.  Paul  the 
Apostle  or  Paulists  of  America  are  brotherhoods  of  mis- 
sioners whose  specific  aim  is  "  through  the  mission  to  in- 
crease the  fervor  and  holiness  of  the  good,  to  warm  up  the 
cold  and  indifferent,  and  to  convert  the  godless." 


PkEFA  TOR  V  NOTES.  433 

When  earnest  bishops  and  clergy  first  held  special  ser- 
vices to  produce  similar  results,  they  were  called  Meth- 
odists, Ritualists,  Iconoclasts,  disturbers  of  the  Church's 
peace,  and  innovators  on  parochial  methods  bearing  the 
seal  of  ages.  But  in  view  of  the  contrast  between  the 
Anglican  Church  asleep  and  the  same  Church  awake,  dif- 
ferent clergymen  claimed  that  they  were  the  first  who 
cried,  "  Awake,  arise,  and  put  on  thy  strength  !"  Even  a 
newspaper  controversy  failed  to  show  whether  an  Evangel- 
ical clergyman  ora"  Ritualist"  were  the  righteous  claimant. 
Some  "  High  Churchmen"  said  :  "  Our  representative  was 
the  first,  and  he  deserves  the  credit."  "  Low  Church- 
men" set  up  a  similar  claim  for  one  of  their  leaders.  But 
"  Broad  Churchmen,"  who  had  also  taken  part  in  the  great 
revival,  calmly  studied  the  Church's  altitude,  latitude,  and 
longitude.  The  clergy  who  years  before  left  a  comfortable 
parsonage,  vicarage,  or  rectory,  and,  without  taking  "  a 
vow  to  be  poor,"  submitted  to  involuntary  poverty  for  the 
Church's  general  welfare,  were  not  considered  by  the  dif- 
ferent claimants  worthy  of  the  least  consideration  ! 

But  as  "  the  Parochial  Mission' '  originated  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  in  view  of  its  efficiency  as  a  parochial 
agency  was  wisely  adopted  by  the  Church  of  England,  as 
adoption  is  not  creation,  surely  imitators  are  not  origi- 
nators !  That  the  Church  is  now  in  a  revived  state  is  an 
undeniable  ^act,  but  who  first  aroused  her  is  of  but  little 
account  ;  and  no  man  may  claim  for  himelf  the  honor  of 
having  been  the  first  to  arouse  slumbering  Zion  because 
another  first  aroused  him. 

Therefore,  all  the  glory  belongs  to  God  the  Holy  Ghost, 
who  simultaneously  moved  clergymen  in  different  places 
to  cry  to  the  slumberers,  "  Behold,  the  Bridegroom 
cometh  ;  go  ye  out  to  meet  Him  !"  But  while  not  one  of 
them  may  claim   that  he  originated  the  parochial  mission, 


434  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

each  may  say,  "  I  was  a  co-operator,"  and  all  should  sing 
in  unison  :  "  We  are  workers  together  with  God."  The 
wonderful  revival  in  the  Church  resembles  the  potent  but 
invisible  wind,  whose  sound  we  hear  and  its  influence 
feel  ;  but  no  man  can  tell  its  human  origin  or  its  Divine 
extent.  The  bishops  and  clergy  named  in  "  The  Church 
Revived,"  and  others  not  mentioned,  deserve  commenda- 
tion for  the  impetus  given  to  missions  by  their  co-operation 
or  encouragement.  Each  will  be  rewarded  according  to  his 
wrorks  ;  and  if  the  Master  praises,  what  are  men  ?  At  His 
Epiphany  no  faithful  servant  will  desire  another  servant's 
crown.  Each  will  shine  as  the  sun  in  the  kingdom  of  Elis 
Father,  and  all  will  sing  :  "  Thanks  be  to  God  who  hath 
given  us  the  victory  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  !" 

At  the  anniversary  of  the  large  Sunday-school  of  St. 
Mark's  Memorial  Chapel,  held  in  the  parish  church — Will- 
iam V.  King,  Esq.,  the  efficient  superintendent — M.  A. 
Gilbert  Esq., 'delivered  an  address,  in  which  he  described 
the  industrious  man  who  gathered  the  thrown-aside  frag- 
ments of  a  stained-glass  memorial  window;  and  by  the 
law  of  the  "  survival  of  the  fittest,"  the  law  of  "  selection," 
and  the  laws  of  "  combination,"  made  of  the  variegated 
little  fragments  a  beautiful  window  that  in  the  dazzling 
sunshine  glittered  like  a  combination  of  rubies,  sapphires, 
emeralds,  and  other  precious  stones.  The  lesson  which  Mr. 
Gilbert  desired  the  children  to  learn  from  this  incident  is 
the  importance  of  gathering  up  the  little  fragments  of 
time  and  of  knowledge,  and  the  diligent  use  of  opportu- 
nities of  usefulness,  in  order  to  combine  the  harmonious  and 
beautiful  traits  of  Christian  character  through  which  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  will  shine  upon  others. 

"  The  Church  Revived"  is  a  memorial  window  through 
which  parochial  mission  light  of  church  life  shines.  Critics 
may  use  their  hammers  of  criticism,  and  break  it  into  frag- 


PREFATORY  XOTES. 


merits,  and,  in  accordance  with  "  the  law  of  the  survival  of 
the  fittest,"  select  from  other  "  fragments  that  remain" 
pieces  of  glass  clear  as  crystal,  and,  by  a  different  combina- 
tion, form  another  memorial  window,  through  which 
brighter  light  might  shine,  alluring  more  persons  who  are 
on  the  outside  of  our  Church  to  come  within  ;  and,  for- 
getting the  work  of  man,  honor  God,  and  unitedly  sing  : 
"  We  praise  Thee,  we  bless  Thee,  we  worship  Thee,  we 
glorify  Thee,  we  give  thanks  to  Thee  for  Thy  great  glory, 
O  Lord  God,  heavenly  king,  God  the  Father  Almighty  !" 


436  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE    NEW    YORK    ADVENT    MISSION. 

The  Co?nmittee  of  Arra?igements — English  Missioners  Invited — 
The  Preparatory  Meetings—  Special  .Reasons  for  the  Mission — 
The  Crux  at  Last — The  Sudden  Death  of  the  Bishop  of 
Florida. 

Through  the  scarcity  of  missioners,  and  the  lack  of  a 
fund  to  support  them,  the  mission  flame  began  to  burn 
dimly  ;  but  God  did  not  suffer  it  to  be  extinguished. 
About  two  years  ago  a  few  earnest  clergymen  were  moved 
to  prepare  for  a  mission  in  New  York  City,  on  a  larger 
scale  than  had  been  heretofore  attempted.  Bishop  H. 
C.  Potter  issued  a  circular  inviting  the  clergy  to  assemble 
and  consider  whether  it  would  be  desirable  and  expedient, 
and  appointed  a  committee  to  make  suitable  preparation, 
and  to  invite  eminent  English  missioners  to  "  come  over 
and  help  us."  Some  accepted  the  invitation,  but  others 
could  not  come.  Among  the  latter  are  Canon  Bell  and 
the  earnest  son  of  Bishop  Wilberforce,  of  England,  the 
Rev.  Canon  Wilberforce,  the  great  orator  of  the  Church 
Temperance  Society,  who  preaches  and  lectures  as  if  in- 
spired ;  but,  prostrated  through  incessant  labors,  he  was 
obliged  to  stay  at  home.  "  The  Church-of-England  mis- 
sioners" are  the  Rev.  W.  Hay  Aitken,  M.A.;  the  Rev. 
J.  Stephens  ;  the   Rev.  E.  Warren,    of    London  ;  the  Rev. 


THE  NE  W   )■(  )RK  A D  I  rENT  MISSION.  YM 

F.  Pigou,  Vicar  of  Halifax  ;  the  Rev.  M.  Ransford,  of  Lon- 
don ;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hartley  ;  the  Rev.  I.  M.  Thompson,  of 
Canada  ;  the  Very  Rev.  H.  M.  Hart,  Dean  of  the  Cathedral, 
Denver,  Col.;  the  Rev.  Drs.  Courtney,  Campbell,  Fair,  and 
Grafton,  formerly  clergymen  of  the  Church  of  England. 
Some  have  questioned  the  propriety  of  "  inviting  foreign 
clergymen  to  conduct  the  mission  services  ;"  but  the  clergy 
who  co-operated  with  them  candidly  confessed  that  through 
them  they  derived  personal  spiritual  benefits. 

During  the  last  week  in  October  five  of  the  Episcopal 
churches  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  were  open  daily,  and  services 
held  "  to  keep  up  and  deepen"  the  interest  excited  by  the 
visit  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey  last  spring,  and  to  use 
special  means  to  allure  the  unsaved  to  the  services.  A 
report  of  the  daily  services  by  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  pub- 
lished in  a  church  paper,  November  nth,  says  :  "  It  is  un- 
gracious to  criticise,  even  in  the  most  friendly  spirit,  work 
of  this  kind  ;  and  yet  it  is  only  by  recognizing  what  we  fail 
to  do,  as  well  as  what  we  accomplish,  that  we  are  able  to 
find  the  way  to  real  success  in  the  end.  Our  parish  clergy 
are  not  missioners,  and  it  was  curious  to  observe  how 
their  habitual  methods  led  them,  without  exception,  to 
preach.  The  task  of  the  trained  missioner  is  not  easily 
acquired  by  the  parish  clergyman.  And  yet  it  seems  that 
there  should  be  something  out  of  the  usual  course  of  parish 
teaching  to  reach  the  careless  multitude." 

In  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Communion,  Twentieth  St.  and 
Sixth  Avenue,  the  Rev.  Henry  Mottet,  the  earnest  rector, 
months  before  the  Advent  Mission  commenced,  Bishop 
H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  and  a  large  representation  of  the  clergy 
of  the  city,  assembled  again  and  again  ;  and,  after  the  cele- 
bration of  the  Holy  Communion,  freely  expressed  their 
opinion  as  to  whether  it  would  be  desirable  to  hold  a  mis- 
sion in  New  York  City.     All  were  to  act  with  freedom  as  to 


438  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

whether  they  would  have  a  mission  ;  and  those  who  de- 
cided to  do  so  were  at  liberty  to  choose  their  own  mission- 
ers  ;  for  the  committee  desired  only  to  aid  them  in  their 
prearrangements.  The  clergy,  who  were  deeply  impressed 
respecting  the  need  for  a  mission,  and  had  strong  faith 
that  God  would  greatly  bless  a  special  effort  to  arouse 
Christians  from  a  state  of  spiritual  slumber,  and  also  to 
awaken  the  dead  to  life,  frequently  met  in  the  church 
mentioned  to  offer  ignited  and  fervent  prayer  that  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  would  prepare  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  re- 
ceive the  message  of  His  love  ;  and  that  God  the  Father 
would  vouchsafe  to  save  the  people  and  increase  His  in- 
heritance. 

THE    SPECIAL    REASONS    FOR    THE    MISSION. 

As  given  by  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
H.  C.  Potter,  D.  D. ,  in  a  printed  circular,  they  are  : 

i.  A  large  class  of  well-to-do  and  refined  people,  who 
have  ceased  to  be,  or  never  have  been,  church-goers. 

2.  Formal  communicants. 

3.  The  irreligion  of  the  young  men  of  our  well-to-do 
families. 

4.  The  evils  in  the  life  of  men  and  women  in  fashion- 
able society. 

5.  The  feeble  recognition  on  the  part  of  masters  and  mis- 
tresses of  the  need  of  church  attendance  by  their  servants, 
resulting  largely  from  a  want  of  care  for  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  servants. 

6.  The  evils  of  class  churches. 

7.  The  evils  which  come  from  the  instability  of  church 
connection. 

8.  The  lack  of  opportunity  for  private  prayer,  consequent 
upon  the  condition  of  our  tenement  and  boarding-houses, 
and  the  fact  that  few  churches  are  constantly  open. 


THE  NEW  YORK  ADVENT  MISSION.  489 

9.  The  want  of  definite,  positive  instruction  in  religious 
duties,  and  in  what  practical  Christian  living  consists. 

10.  The  lack  of  personal  spiritual  ministry  to  the  rich. 
ii.   The  drain  upon  the  minds,  souls,  and  bodies  of  two 

classes  :  (a)  of  those  who  give  themselves  up  to  the 
demands  of  society  life  ;  (b)  of  those  laden  down  with  too 
much  work — unfitting  both  classes  for  a  healthful  Christian 
life.  Among  the  causes  of  this  drain  we  specify  late 
hours  ;  the  stores  open  late  Saturday  nights  ;  no  Saturday 
half-holidays. 

12.  The  religious  deprivation  suffered  by  the  large  and 
rapidly  increasing  portion  of  the  population  called  to  labor 
at  night,  in  connection  with  the  homeless  and  the  vicious 
classes  abroad  under  cover  of  darkness. 

13.  The  wrongs  inflicted  by  employers  on  their  employes. 

14.  The  lust  of  wealth  issuing  in  the  manifold  evils  of 
unscrupulous  competition  ;  over-work,  under-pay,  scamped 
work,  and  mutual  enmity  and  discontent  between  emplover 
and  employe. 

15.  The  immorality  and  irreligion  caused  by  the  un- 
righteous denial  to  a  large  and  increasing  class  of  one  day's 
rest  in  seven. 

16.  The  prevalence  of  the  sins  of  intemperance  and  im- 
purity. 

17.  The  special  religious  difficulties  caused  by  the  con- 
stant flow  of  immigrants. 

18.  The  hindrances  to  the  growth  of  the  Christian  life 
caused  by  our  luxuriousness  and  selfishness. 

19.  The  ostentations  display  by  church-goers  of  all  classes. 

20.  The  want  of  public  spirit,  bearing  upon  both  Church 
and  State. 

Before  his  departure  to  Paradise,  the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C. 
Lay,   Bishop  of  Easton,*  said  :   "  There  is  a  wretchedness 

*  Convention  Address,  1875. 


440  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

to  be  relieved.  There  are  men  just  around  our  churches 
who  for  any  interest  shown  for  their  salvation  might  as 
well  be  in  the  heart  of  Africa.  .  .  .  The  crux  at  last, 
however,  is  the  problem  of  alluring  within  our  reach  the 
profligate,  the  profane,  the  careless.  .  .  .  I  do  give  my 
hearty  sanction  to  specific  efforts  which  the  clergy  may 
undertake  in  this  behalf,  but  on  certain  conditions  and 
under  certain  limitations  :  i.  Loyalty  and  brotherhood 
should  pervade  every  such  undertaking.  2.  While  several 
may  assist,  it  seems  necessary  that  one  person  should 
assume  the  guidance  of  the  Mission.  3.  Instruction  should 
be  the  staple  of  the  Mission,  with  exhortation  growing  out 
of  it,  with  every  care  not  to  allow  the  service  to  degenerate 
into  excitement.  4.  The  services  may  be  selected  from 
the  Prayer-Book  or  the  Bible.  .  .  .  After  careful  thought 
I  must  record  my  disapproval  of  prayers  other  than  those 
in  the  Prayer-Book,  whether  in  the  service  or  the  after- 
meeting." 

///  Memo7'iam. — "  In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death." 
This  was  illustrated  by  the  sudden  death  of  the  Rt.  Rev. 
J.  Freeman  Young,  Bishop  of  Florida.  In  apparent  good 
health  the  Bishop  had  safely  arrived  in  New  York  City, 
expecting  to  attend  the  special  meetings  of  the  Board  of 
Missions.  He  registered  at  the  Clarendon  Hotel,  Fourth 
Avenue.  Suddenly  he  was  prostrated  from  an  attack  of 
pneumonia.  Before  many  of  his  friends  knew  of  his 
illness  he  passed  away.  .  .  .  All  that  was  mortal  of  an 
American  bishop  was  returned  to  his  friends  in  Florida. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Missions 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  January  12th,  1886, 
"a  minute  commemorative  of  the  late  Bishop  of  Florida 
was  adopted  by  a  rising  vote,  and  ordered  to  be  spread 
upon  the  records  of  the  meeting." 


. 


THE  RE  TRE*  XT  AT  C.  I  RRISi  KVS,   X.    Y.  Ill 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    RETREAT    AT    GARRISON' S,   N.     Y. 

The  Daily  Services —  The  Solemn  Addresses —  The  Quiet  Seasons 
— How  the  Intervals  were  Spent —  Was  the  Retreat  Profitable  ? 
— General  Impression  of  the  Clergy. 

The  retreat  at  Garrison's,  West  Point,  commenced  Tues- 
day, October  13th,  at  4.30  p.m.  After  a  short  service  Mis- 
sioner  Aitken  delivered  a  comprehensive  and  impressive 
address  on  the  "  Specific  Objects  of  the  Retreat."  At  7  p.m. 
he  preached  on  Isaiah's  vision  of  the  Holy  Jehovah.  The 
sermon  was  cxegetical,  descriptive,  intensely  practical,  and 
depicted  how  the  prophet  was  suddenly  prostrated  by  the 
vision  of  the  Holy  One,  and  God's  great  mercy  in  forgiv- 
ing his  iniquity.  The  evening  service  was  open  to  all, 
and  the  clergy  and  laity  -were  instructed,  edified,  and 
profited. 

Wednesday,  at  8  a.m.,  the  missioner  delivered  a  short 
address  on  "  The  Divine  Presence — our  Retreat,"  after 
which  the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated.  At  the  10 
a.m.  service  matins  were  followed  by  silent  prayer.  At 
11  a.m.  hymns,  prayers,  and  an  instructive  address  on 
:<  The  Importance  of  the  Shepherd  going  before  His  Flock." 
At  2.30  p.m.  commenced  the  hour  for  meditation,  the 
general  subject,  "  Some  of  the  Characteristics  of  the  Good 
Shepherd."  In  connection  with  the  intervals  for  self-ex- 
amination and  silent  prayer,  the  missioner  made  short,  sug- 
gestive  addresses.       At   the    public    service,  at   7.30,  after 


442  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

even  song,  he  preached  a  practical  sermon,  profitable  to 
both  clergy  and  laity.  Thursday,  at  8  a.m.,  the  subject  of 
the  address  was  "  Our  Own  Vineyard."  The  preacher 
vividly  depicted  the  contrast  between  great  gifts  used  to 
promote  self-glorification  and  lesser  gifts  consecrated  to 
supremely  promote  the  glory  of  God.  He  graphically  de- 
scribed a  minister  who  had  gained  collegiate  honors,  wrote 
brilliant  discourses,  and  entertained  a  fashionable  congre- 
gation, but  who  saw  but  little  good  resulting  from  his  labors. 
He  also  described  one  of  his  classmates,  who  was  not  a 
brilliant  scholar  nor  an  attractive  preacher,  but  whose 
ministerial  labors  were  greatly  blessed  and  his  congrega- 
tion yearly  increased.  The  former  visited  the  latter,  and 
frankly  said  :  "  When  we  were  at  college,  you  know  that 
you  were  behind  me  in  your  studies  ;  but  as  a  minister 
you  are  far  ahead  of  me  !  How  do  you  account  for  this  ?" 
The  latter  induced  the  former  to  promise  to  commit  to 
memory  one  of  his  practical  Gospel  sermons.  After  he  had 
preached  the  sermon  a  lady  visited  him  in  the  vestry-room. 
He  at  once  saw  that  she  had  been  weeping,  and  asked  : 
"What  has  caused  you  sorrow?"  The  lady  answered: 
11  Your  sermon  this  morning  revealed  to  me  my  sinfulness 
and  God's  great  mercy  in  pard — "  Before  she  completed 
the  sentence  her  pastor  said  :  "  I  am  very,  very  sorry,  for 
I  had  no  intention  to  hurt  the  feelings  of  any  one."  At  io 
a.m.  matins  were  followed  by  silent  prayer.  At  n  a.m. 
the  missioner  made  an  address  on  "  Walking  with  God." 
At  2.30  he  set  forth  the  importance  of  "  Definiteness  in 
Work  and  Experience  ;"  and  at  the  public  service  at  7.30 
p.m.  he  preached  an  able  sermon  on  "  The  Assurance  of 
Forgiveness,"  and  emphasized  the  truth  that  the  doctrine 
of  "  Assurance  "  does  not  involve  the  doctrine  of  Final 
Perseverance.  Friday,  at  8  a.m.,  the  subject  of  the  ad- 
dress was  "  Polished  Shafts."     The  reireat  was  closed  by 


THE  RE TREA  T  AT  GA RR/ SON'S,  N.    V.  II S 

the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion.  Bishop  H.  C. 
Potter,  D.D.,was  assisted  in  the  service  by  the  rector  of 
the  parish,  the  missioner,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fair,  of  Bal- 
timore, Md. 

During  meals  at  the  hotel  Missioner  Aitken  requested  a 
clergyman  to  read  a  chapter  in  the  Bible  or  a  portion  of  a 
devotional  book  ;  and  on  one  occasion  each  clergyman 
recited  a  verse  or  verses  on  the  general  topic  suggested  by 
the  missioner.  During  the  intervals  between  the  meals 
and  the  services  the  retreatants  engaged  in  social  conversa- 
tion, or  took  exercise,  or  received  information  and  sug- 
gestions from  Missioners  Aitken  and  Stephens  in  regard  to 
the  New  York  Advent  Mission. 

About  sixty  clergymen  were  present  at  the  retreat,  some 
of  whom  came  from  a  great  distance  to  partake  of  its  bene- 
fits. Missioner  Aitken,  who  conducted  it,  combined  great 
discretion  with  great  earnestness  ;  and  his  desire  that  God 
would  greatly  bless  His  servants  and  make  them  more 
abundantly  useful  was  highly  appreciated.  With  deep 
pathos  he  often  prayed  :  "  Let  the  words  of  our  mouth 
and  the  meditation  of  our  hearts  be  always  acceptable  in 
thy  sight,  O  Lord,  our  strength  and  our  Redeemer. ' '  Some 
who  had  not  before  been  present  at  a  retreat  came  to 
Garrison's  with  minds  prejudiced,  but  returned  to  their 
homes  fully  satisfied  that  retreats  are  desirable  and  profit- 
able. The  few  clergymen  who  came  to  remain  but  one 
day  could  not  correctly  judge  of  the  combined  series  of 
serv:ces.  The  clergy  who  at  the  first  services  were  led 
into  "  the  valley  of  humiliation,"  afterward  ascended  to  a 
higher  spiritual  altitude.  And  as  politicians  who,  night 
after  night,  attend  political  gatherings  become  enthused 
concerning  politics,  so  clergymen  become  religiously  en- 
thusiastic through  the  intense  devotional  services  of  a  re- 
treat, and  receive  spiritual  strength  to  enable  them  to  labor 


444  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

with  concentrated  energy  to  increase  the  number  of  faith- 
ful soldiers  of  Christ's  militant  church.  Since  the  retreat 
clergymen  who  were  present  have  preached  with  increased 
fervor,  and  their  people  have  been  greatly  blessed. 


THE   PREPARATORY  DEVOTIONAL    SERVICE.         IT, 


CHAPTER   III. 

THE  PREPARATORY  DEVOTIONAL  SERVICE. 

Bishops  who  were  Present — The  Words  of  Welcome — The 
Appreciated  Sermon — The  Proposed  Mission  Churchly — A 
Quiet  Work  Desirable — The  Model  Missioner —  Wise  Cautions 
—  The  Church  of  England — "  We  are  but  a  Part" — Chris- 
tian Sympathy  Appreciated — The  Bishop' s  Philanthropy. 

On  Friday  morning,  November  27th,  the  missioners  and 
clergy  convened  in  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest. 
In  the  chancel,  with  the  Rev.  Parker  Morgan,  were  Bishops 
Potter,  Bedell,  Tuttle,  and  Elliott,  who  read  different  parts 
of  the  ante-Communion  Service.  In  the  introduction  of 
his  address,  the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  said  : 
1 '  We  have  met,  that,  if  we  can  but  touch  the  hem  of  Christ' s 
garment,  we  shall  be  strengthened  and  qualified  for  the 
work  before  us."  He  spake  cordial  words  of  hearty  wel- 
come to  the  clergy  from  the  mother  Church  of  England  for 
their  presence  and  co-operation  ;  acknowledged  the  kindly 
presence  of  the  bishops  and  clergy  from  other  dioceses  to 
aid  in  the  work  of  the  mission  ;  gratefully  recognized  the 
faithfulness  of  the  clergy  who  had  associated  themselves  to 
prepare  for  its  services  ;  and  believed  that,  as  a  reward  for 
their  devotion,  God  would  greatly  bless  their  respective 
parishes.  The  Bishop  then  set  forth,  first,  that  the  work 
of  the  mission  is  entirely  on  the  line  of  the  Church's 
essential  principles  of  life  and  work,  as  outlined  in  the  ser- 
vices  for  Advent,  which   the   mission   is  to  fill   up  and  fill 


446  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


out  ;  and  showed  (a)  that  the  Collect,  Epistle,  and  Gospel 
for  the  Sunday  preceding  Advent  Sunday  are  in  full  har- 
mony with  its  spirit  ;  and  (b)  that  the  small  quantity  of  the 
loaves  and '•fishes  to  feed  the  multitude,  as  described  in  the 
Gospel,  teach  us  our  own  insufficiency  to  do  the  great  work 
of  the  mission  without  the  Divine  blessing.  He  next 
answered  the  question,  How  shall  we  take  up  this  work, 
and  how  carry  it  on  ?  and  alluded  (a)  to  the  difference  in 
the  social  circumstances  and  condition  of  the  people  in 
England  from  those  in  America,  where  are  no  fixed  classes  ; 
(b)  that,  while  strong  feelings  have  a  place  in  the  human 
heart,  as  God's  work  in  nature  is  generally  a  quiet  work, 
a  quiet  religious  work  is  desirable  ;  (c)  in  the  Word  of  God 
we  have  a  pattern  of  the  mode  in  which  the  work  of  the 
mission  should  be  undertaken,  as  illustrated  in  St.  Paul's 
mission  to  the  Jews  at  Antioch,  and  to  the  Gentiles  at 
Athens  ;  (d)  that  the  solemn  truths  set  forth  by  the  Model 
Missioner,  described  in  Acts  13  and  17,  should  be  empha- 
sized ;  and  as  spiritual  life  must  begin  in  the  conscience,  that 
many  may  be  added  to  the  Church,  the  solemn,  specified 
topics  in  the  two  discourses  of  St.  Paul  should  be  the  models 
of  the  missioner's  themes,  to  benefit  the  souls  of  men  and  for 
efficient  mission  work.  The  Bishop  then  cautioned  the 
clergy  (a)  not  to  expect  too  much  from  a  mode  of  Church 
work  in  which  they  have  had  but  little  experience  ;  and,  at 
the  close  of  the  mission,  should  they  not  see  the  extensive 
results  expected,  not  to  be  discouraged  ;  for  it  is  but  the 
beginning  of  a  large  and  constant  endeavor  to  lift  up  our 
own  life  out  of  the  old  customs  of  routine,  and  again  and 
again  to  use  the  same  methods  to  awaken  men  who  are 
asleep  ;  and  (b)  they  must  not,  on  the  other  hand,  expect  too 
little,  and  the  greatness  of  the  work  should  not  discourage 
them.  The  Bishop  expressed  his  grateful  appreciation  of 
the  interest  in  the  mission   throughout   the  land  ;  and   of 


THE  PREPARATORY  DEVOTIONAl  SERVICE.         117 

the  sympathy  throughout  the  Church  of  Christ,  (a)  from 
Christians  of  othernames  and  (b)  from  our  Mother  Church 
of  England,  "  that  greater  whole  of  which  we  are  but  a 
part."  He  was  assured  of  this  in  numerous  letters  he  had 
received  from  ministers  of  other  Christian  bodies  ;  and 
alluded  to  one  of  them,  in  the  upper  part  of  this  city,  who 
had  invited  his  congregation  to  attend  the  mission  services  ; 
and  he  was  grateful  that  in  all  our  land  Christians  are  pray- 
ing that  God's  blessing  may  rest  upon  the  mission.  And, 
as  the  angel  hosts  above  are  doing  the  work  of  the  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  the  Bishop  closed  by  exhort- 
ing the  missioners,  rectors,  and  helpers  to  remember  that, 
always  and  everywhere,  the  Enthroned  One  is  with  us  and 
the  Leader  of  this  little  host  ;  and  urged  them  to  pray  that 
He  may  make  His  home  in  our  hearts,  transform  us  for  the 
work  we  have  to  do  for  the  souls  of  men,  and  lead  us  on  to 
victory.  After  the  Bishop's  touching  and  impressive  ad- 
dress, of  which  the  foregoing  is  but  an  imperfect  outline, 
the  Holy  Communion  was  administered  to  the  bishops, 
missioners,  and  a  large  number  of  rectors  who  were  present. 
The  Bishop's  able  and  comprehensive  address  shows  that 
he  possesses  wide  sympathy  and  far-seeing  vision.  Through 
his  Church  militant  telescope  he  can  see  beyond  the  circle 
of  his  own  large  diocese.  He  is  interested  in  every  form 
of  churchly  and  benevolent  work  to  rescue  the  perishing, 
and  willingly  preaches- to  the  poor  and  the  degraded,  as 
well  as  to  the  rich  and  the  educated.  Fervently  he  prays 
for  "  all  sorts  and  conditions  of  men.  .  .  .  More  especially 
we  pray  for  Thy  Church  universal,  that  it  may  be  so  guided 
and  governed  by  Thy  good  Spirit,  that  all  who  profess  and 
call  themselves  Christians  may  be  led  into  the  way  of 
truth,  and  hold  the  faith  in  unity  of  spirit,  in  the  bond  of 
peace,  and  in  righteousness  of  life.  .  .  .  And  this  we  beg 
for  Jesus  Christ's  sake."     Amen. 


448  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE    EVE    OF    THE    NEW    YORK    ADVENT    MISSION. 

A  Religious  Mass-Meeting — The  Woman  and  Her  Saviour — 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Kramer — Reception  of  Missioners — The  Quiet 
Hour — Excitement  Discouraged — Bishop  Elliott's  Pastoral. 

The  services  at  the  mass-meeting  for  working  people 
were  conducted  by  the  minister  of  St.  Mark's  Memorial 
Chapel,  and  consisted  of  the  singing  of  familiar  hymns 
and  tunes  from  "  Gospel  Hymns  No.  i,"  an  address  by 
the  Rev.  E.  J.  Johnson,  based  on  the  woman  who  touched 
the  fringe  of  the  Saviour's  Oriental  garment,  and  whose 
faith  in  Christ's  power  saved  her.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Kramer 
also  made  an  address.     He  said  : 

"  While  listening  to  the  sermon  it  occurred  to  my  mind 
that  the  poor  woman  who  was  healed  had  a  disease  the  chief 
feature  of  which  marks  our  spiritual  sickness.  That  feature 
was  weakness — her  life  blood  was  leaving  her,  her  vitality 
was  going,  and  death  was  threatened,  because  she  had  but 
little  strength,  and  it  was  departing. 

11  Is  not  that  the  case  with  us  ?  We  have  had  a  spiritual 
life  from  God  our  Heavenly  Father,  but  it  has  become  a 
diseased  thing,  and  now  it  may  be  a  very  weak  existence  and 
in  danger  of  death,  because  of  its  weakness.  What  we 
need  is  that  Christ  the  Healer  may  arrest  this  exhaustion 
of  life  and  give  us  strength. 

"  Look  how  weak  a  man  is  !  He  reaches  the  condition 
of  shame  and  wretchedness  because  of  some  besetting  sin. 


THE  EVE  OF  THE  NEW   YORK  ADVENT  MISSION.   ±48 

Suppose  it  to  be  drink — take  that  as  an  example — but, 
remember,  it  may  be  the  same  through  other  sins.  He  is 
wretched  because  of  his  wrong,  and  wretched  because  all 
his  spiritual  life  is  not  gone.  It  is  a  holy  thing  in  any  one 
which  can  ever  allow  us  to  be  wretched  as  the  result  of  sin. 
What  a  good  and  sacred  resolution  one  makes  to  overcome 
sin  !  It  is  made  to  our  friends  ;  it  is  made  to  God.  We 
know  the  sad  and  painful  story  belonging  to  every  case — 
we  fail. 

"  It  is  because  we  have  trusted  to  our  own  strength,  and 
that  it  has  been  weakness,  not  strength  at  all,  that  we  have 
failed.  One  stronger  than  ourselves  can  help  us.  Let  any 
brother  come  in  just  in  the  moment  of  our  weakness,  as  we 
are  about  to  give  up  and  indulge  in  our  sin  ;  and  if  we  are 
frank  with  him,  we  cry  out  :  '  It's  no  use  ;  I  cannot  stand  it  ; 
I  was  just  about  to  give  up,  and  I  must  give  up  !  '  Then  he 
gives  a  brother's  hand,  and  says  :  '  No,  you  must  not  yield  ; 
be  a. man,  and  suffer  rather  than  go  into  sin.'  Why,  it 
seems  as  if  his  strength  passes  into  us  and  makes  us  strong 
to  conquer  at  this  time.  Then,  what  we  need  in  every  time 
of  temptation  is  to  think  of  the  Divine-human  Friend 
and  Brother  who  is  ever  with  us.  What  we  need  is  to 
listen  to  Him  ;  what  we  need  is  to  let  His  spirit  pass  into 
ours  that  we  may  become  strong.  Our  disease  is  weak- 
ness ;  our  Healer  is  the  Christ  !" 

THE    RECEPTION    OF    MISSIONERS    AND    "  THE    QUIET    HOUR." 

In  accord  with  a  custom  of  the  Church  of  England  on 
the  eve  of  a  mission,  in  Calvary  Church,  St.  George's 
Church,  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Church  of  the 
Heavenly  Rest,  Church  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  and  in 
several  other  churches,  on  Saturday  evening,  at  8  o'clock, 
large  congregations  assembled  for  the  reception  of  their 
missioners.     Surprise  has  been  expressed  "  that  on  the  eye 


450  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

of  such  solemn  services  a  reception  should  be  given  !" 
But  it  in  no  respect  resembles  "a  church  sociable," 
where  refreshments  are  served  ;  for  it  is  the  public  intro- 
duction of  the  missioner  to  the  congregation.  The  service 
at  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest  at  the  introduction  of 
the  Rev.  F.  Pigou,  D.D.,  will  illustrate  the  nature  of  the 
reception  of  missioners  at  the  other  churches.  After  the 
singing  of  a  hymn,  the  Rev.  Parker  Morgan,  in  touching 
tone  and  words,  introduced  to  the  very  large  congregation 
their  missioner,  whose  Gospel  instruction  they  were 
expected  to  receive. 

"The  Quiet  Hour"  was  occupied  by  the  missioner 
delivering  a  calm  sermon  on  the  Saviour's  transfiguration. 
After  an  exposition  of  the  design  of  this  manifestation  of 
the  Saviour's  Deity,  which  shone  through  His  spotless 
humanity,  the  missioner  (a)  specified  the  work  which  com- 
municants should  undertake  to  help  the  mission  ;  (/?)  the 
blessings  they  should  expect  through  it  ;  c]  that  there  is  a 
great  difference  between  hysteria  and  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  that  the  mission  is  not  designed  to  excite 
the  emotions,  but  to  deepen  their  spiritual  life.  At  all 
mission  services  excitement  is  discouraged  ;  for  the  emotion 
incited  by  the  Holy  Spirit  does  not  behave  itself  unseemly. 
Dr.  Pigou  is  a  fine  musician,  and  when  a  hymn  had  been 
announced  he  stepped  from  the  chancel,  took  his  seat  at 
the  instrument  near  its  front,  played  the  tune,  and  led  the 
singing.  After  another  season  of  silent  prayer  he  pro- 
nounced the  benediction. 

PASTORAL    OF    THE    RT.    REV.    R.    W.  B.   ELLIOTT. 

To  the  Congregation  of  Calvary  Church,  New  York. 

Men  and  Brethren  :  Having  been  selected  by  the  rector  of  Calvary 
Parish  to  act  as  missioner  during  the  Advent  Mission,  now  near  at  hand, 
it  becomes  my  duty  to  affectionately  invite  your  attention  to  the  serious 


THE  EVE  OF  THE  NEW   YORK'  ADVENT  MISSION.     LSI 

nature  of  the  occasion.  The  Church  has  set  apart  the  season  of  Advent 
to  remind  us  of  the  coming  of  our  dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Saviour 
of  the  world,  and  of  His  second  coming  as  its  Judge.  Her  services  are 
filled  during  this  period  with  the  twofold  teaching  of  these  great  and 
solemn  lessons. 

While  year  by  year  warning  us,  in  the  midst  of  our  busy  lives,  of  the 
necessity  of  preparation  for  our  great  account  to  God  ;  as  Advent  has 
succeeded  Advent,  each  season  has  seemed  to  bring  with  it  a  strangely 
accelerated  stress  of  life,  that  has  made  the  warning  voice  fall  more  and 
more  faintly,  even  upon  listening  ears. 

This  has  not  been  unmarked  by  devout  men,  appointed  of  God  to  the 
cure  of  souls.  The  spiritual  sorrow  thus  arising  at  the  same  time  in  many 
breasts  caused  them  to  carry  their  perplexities  to  God  ;  and  He,  we 
believe,  sent  them  to  take  counsel  one  of  another.  For  two  years  has 
this  holy  care  burdened  many  souls.  Gradually  it  has,  under  prayer  and 
subsequent  consultation,  been  indicated  that  during  the  Advent  season  of 
1885  there  should  be  a  prayerful  and  united  effort  to  preach  more  directly 
and  more  constantly  with  more  earnestness  of  prayer  and  heartiness  of 
worship,  the  sublime  and  awful  message  of  God  to  man,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord. 

Prayer  has  constantly  ascended  to  God,  entreating  His  guidance  and 
blessing.  Daily  and  hourly  the  petition  has  gone  up  that  because  of  the 
sacrifice  and  death  of  His  dear  Son,  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter, 
might  manifest  Himself  in  power  among  us  for  the  rescue  of  souls. 

In  all  humility,  and  conscious  of  manifold  infirmities  ;  with  a  deep 
sense  of  the  dreadful  responsibilities  surrounding  this  occasion  ;  filled 
with  distrust  in  all  human  agencies,  but  full  of  hope  in  the  glorious 
promises  of  help  vouchsafed  to  those  who  diligently  seek  Divine  Grace, 
I  come  to  you.  In  behalf  of  those  who  shall  labor  during  this  mission, 
I  ask,  in  the  name  of  our  most  Holy  Redeemer,  the  prayers — the  earnest 
prayers,  of  all  who  shall  read  this  letter.  Do  not  postpone  the  prayer  ; 
having  read  these  words,  then,  in  that  moment,  however  brief  the  petition 
may  be,  ask  for  those  who  shall  preach,  and  for  those  who  shall  hear, 
God's  blessing.  Continue  daily  to  implore  for  them  the  benediction  of 
the  Divine  Presence.  Come  to  the  meetings  with  prayers  and  praises  in 
your  hearts  and  on  your  lips.  Remember  that  each  morning  the  Holy 
Communion  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Christ  will  be  set  forth  for  your 
spiritual  refreshment.  Come  to  this  Holy  Feast  ;  come  to  all  the  meet- 
ings in  your  power  ;  come  believing  that  God  has  something  special  foi 
every  one  of  His  children  to  do,  and  that  your  place  is  waiting  and  your 


452  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


work  ready.  Come,  trusting  that  some  soul  needs  you,  and  that  your 
presence,  your  example,  your  loving  interest,  may  be  the  agency  God  has 
chosen  to  cheer  and  sustain  us  in  this  work — perhaps,  may  He  grant  it,  to 
set  some  fettered  spirit  free.  Come,  dearly  beloved,  because  of  Jesus' 
love,  and  then  will  you  come  in  Jesus'  power. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 

Faithfully  yours, 

R.  W.  B.  Elliott. 


THE  FIRST  SUNDA  Y  OF   THE  MISSION.  L68 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE  FIRST  SUNDAY  OF  THE  MISSION. 

The  Mission  in  Calvary  Church — The  Rt.  Rev.  Missioners — ■ 
Bishop  Elliott's  Solemn  Sermon — Afternoon  Services  for  Men 
only — Bishop  Tut  tie  Preached  in  the  Evening. 

Rectors  for  several  months  had  made  diligent  use  of 
human  means  in  preparing  for  the  mission,  and  had  offered 
earnest  prayer  that  the  Holy  Ghost  would  prepare  the 
hearts  of  the  people  to  receive  the  Gospel  of  God's  grace, 
and  to  apply  its  great  benefits,  and  also  to  qualify  the 
missioners  to  promote  His  glory.  On  the  first  Sunday  in 
Advent,  they  entered  the  respective  churches  in  which  the 
mission  was  to  be  commenced  with  mingling  emotions  of 
humble  dependence  on  Almighty  God,  a  measure  of  holy 
anxiety,  and  trustful  expectation.  The  appropriate  prayers 
for  the  day  were  read  with  unusually  solemn  emphasis. 
The  lessons,  Epistle,  and  Gospel  gave  the  key-note  of  the 
sermons.  The  chants  and  hymns  inspired.  The  sermons 
through  the  intellect  moved  the  heart.  And  in  receiving 
the  Holy  Communion,  many  felt,  as  never  before,  the  Lord 
indeed  is  in  his  Holy  Temple. 

the  services  in  calvary  church. 

In  the  chancel,  with  the  rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Satterlee, 
were  one  of  his  assistants  and  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Sullivan, 
Bishop  of  Algoma,  Canada,  also  Bishop  Tuttle,  of  Utah, 
and    Bishop   Elliott,   of  Texas,    the  two  missioners.     The 


454  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


sermon  was  preached  by  Bishop  Elliott,  based  on  the  text  : 
11  This  Gospel  shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world  as  a 
witness  unto  all  nations,  and  then  shall  the  end  come." 
(Matt.  24  141.)  The  introduction  set  forth  that  there  was 
never  an  Advent  season  in  which  the  Gospel  had  been  as 
widely  preached  as  at  the  present  time  ;  very  soon  it  will 
have  been  proclaimed  in  all  the  world.  Then  the  end  of 
the  present  order  of  things,  at  the  Epiphany  of  the  Saviour, 
will  consummate  the  hope  of  His  waiting  servants,  and  also 
answer  the  agnostic  scoffer's  question  :  "  Where  is  the 
promise  of  His  coming  ?"  Alluding  to  the  moral  condition 
of  the  city  of  New  York,  the  preacher  asked  :  "  Is  not  the 
Advent  Mission  needed  ?"  Not  many  years  ago  a  number 
who  had  been  killed  during  a  riot  in  this  city  were  carried 
from  Calvary  Church  for  burial. 

Throughout  our  country  the  execrative  and  negative  cry 
of  the  lawless,  "  No  God  !"  is  now  ascending  with  increas- 
ing volume  of  defiant  tone  ;  and  a  similar  irruption  on  a 
larger  scale  has  only  been  kept  back  by  the  testimony  of  the 
Saviour's  witnesses.  The  body  of  the  sermon  was  specially 
addressed  to  the  congregation  before  him,  whom  he  placed 
on  trial,  held  God's  law  before  them,  recited  command- 
ment after  commandment,  and  at  the  close  of  each,  in 
solemn  tone,  inquired  :  "  Have  you  kept  it?  If  not,  you 
have  not  the  evidence  that  Christ  is  yours."  He  set  forth 
that  those  who  came  to  church  with  the  head  seething 
with  the  business  of  the  world  are  not  sanctifying  a 
a  seventh  portion  of  their  time  to  the  service  of  God  ;  and 
asked  those  who  had  been  baptized  :  "  Do  you  come  to 
the  Holy  Table,  and  obey  the  Lord's  command — Do  this 
in  remembrance  of  me?"  If  you  have  kept  God's  com- 
mandments, you  have  the  assurance  that  Christ  is  yours. 

The  Bishop,  in  closing,  referred  to  the  Saviour  giving  the 
young  man,  who  told  Him  he  had  kept  all  the  command- 


THE  FIRST  SUNDA  V  OF  THE  MISSION.  L56 


merits,  something  to  do  for  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-men  ; 
and  urged  the  Christians  who  were  present  to  witness  for 
Christ  by  inviting  their  unsaved  friends  and  others  to 
come  to  the  mission,  that  they  may  be  moved  to  accept 
Him  as  their  Saviour,  keep  His  commandments,  and  when 
the  end  to  which  the  text  refers  shall  come,  be  welcomed 
into  His  everlasting  kingdom. 

In  the  afternoon  a  service  for  the  Sunday-school  children 
was  held,  and  another  service  for  men  only.  In  the  even- 
ing the  sermon  was  preached  by  Bishop  Tuttle.  Large 
congregations  attended  the  different  services,  and  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Satterlee,  who  had  labored  so  zealously  preparing  for 
the  Advent  Mission,  was  much  encouraged.  The  rector 
had  placed  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church  an  abundant 
supply  of  gospel  appeals  and  leaflets  ;  also  a  selection  of  the 
neat  little  tracts  published  by  the  Willard  Tract  Society  on 
"  How  to  Enter  into  Rest ;"  "  How  to  Use  Faith  ;"  "  Defi- 
niteness  ;"  "  Is  God  in  Everything  ?"  "  The  Government 
shall  be  upon  His  Shoulders  ;"  "  The  Chariots  of  God,' '  etc. 
The  following  extract  is  from  the  one  entitled  "  Take"  : 
11  You  need  not  be  always  analyzing  your  life,  and  ferreting 
within.  Having  put  yourself  into  God's  hands,  leave  your- 
self there  ;  and,  as  it  rises,  bring  all  to  Him— your  ambition, 
your  desires,  your  ideas,  your  hopes,  your  fears.  They  do 
not  need  to  be  crushed  out  of  you,  but  to  be  brought  to 

Christ Just  live  in  the  sunshine  and  pleasure  of  His 

presence.  You  know  how  searching  the  bright  sun-rays 
are  ;  so  will  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  and  love  search  in 
your  heart,  and  under  His  beams  it  will  grow  tender--'  a 
heart  of  flesh,  and  not  of  stone  ;'  quick  to  see,  quick  to 
obey.  When  we  walk  in  this  world's  sunlight,  we  need  to 
look  at  the  way  and  at  our  feet  to  see  that  they  go  right 
and  keep  from  stumbling  ;  but  with  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness we  just  need  to  look  at  Him  ;  and  so  looking,  He  will 


456  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

take  care  that  we  neither  stumble  nor  fall.  .  .  .  You  do 
not  know  what  a  life  is  before  you.  Do  not  be  afraid  if 
you  get  a  sudden  glimpse  at  your  own  utter  vileness  and 
sinfulness.  Carry  it  to  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  He  knows  it  better 
than  you  do  ;  and  leave  it  with  Him,  just  as  you  leave  your 
unbelief  with  Him  ;  and  looking  only,  only  to  Him,  you 
will  receive  your  life  moment  by  moment  from  Him,  and 
live  it  moment  bv  moment  with  Him.  He  who  is  Love 
will  lead  you  gently  on  over  any  rough  stony  places  that 
may  be  before  you— gently,  because  close  to  Him—*  I  in 
you,  and  ye  in  Me  ;'  and  the  Holy  Spirit  will  show  you 
many  things,  '  as  you  are  able  to  bear  them  ;'  and  surely, 
yielded  up  and  obedientl}r  following,  His  '  fruits — love, 
joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith, 
meekness,  temperance,'  av/// appear  in  us,  to  glorify  God, 
and  bear  testimony  for  Jesus." 


THANKSGIVING   SERVICE   IX  CALVARY   CHURCH.  467 


CHAPTER   VI. 

THE    THANKSGIVING    SERVICE    IN    CALVARY    CHURCH. 

Bishop  Tattle's  Address — Thank  God  and  Take  Courage — 
The  Address  of  Bishop  Elliott — The  Triune  Benediction — Dr. 
Satterlee's  Address — Manifest  Results  of  the  Mission. 

On  the  various  services  at  this  widely  influential  church 
the  Divine  blessing  rested.  They  began  each  day  with  the 
celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion,  and  at  9  a.m.  morn- 
ing prayer  followed.  At  the  11  o'clock  meeting,  after  a 
short  service,  a  sermon  was  preached,  designed  to  lead  the 
people  higher  on  the  heavenly  ladder  of  the  means  of 
grace  ;  and  the  higher  they  ascended,  the  brighter  beamed 
their  hope  of  everlasting  glory.  At  the  last  three  services 
Bishop  Tuttle  preached  the  sermons.  Daily  at  3  p.m. 
Bishop  Elliott  addressed  attentive  congregations  on  special 
subjects  relating  to  domestic  life  and  the  mutual  duties  of 
parents  and  children,  on  business  life  and  the  mutual  duties 
of  employers  and  employes,  and  also  on  the  privileges  and 
duties  of  church  communicants  Each  evening,  at  8 
o'clock,  Bishop  Tuttle  preached  an  instructive,  earnest, 
and  convincing  sermon. 

The  Thanksgiving  Service  for  blessings  vouchsafed  was 
held  Monday,  the  7th  instant,  at  8  p.m.  With  the  rector 
in  the  chancel  were  the  assistant  minister  and  the  Rt.  Rev. 
missioners.  After  Thanksgiving  prayer  had  been  offered 
and  appropriate  praise  had  ascended  from  the  large  con- 


458  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

gregation,  led  by  the  mission  choir  that  filled  the  gallery, 
the  first  address  was  made  by  Bishop  Tuttle  ;  its  theme  was 

11  THANK    GOD    AND    TAKE    COURAGE." 

In  a  tone  of  mingled  reverence  and  gratitude  the  earnest 
Bishop  stated  that  :  Many  had  cherished  fears  that  the  mis- 
sion would  be  an  unwise  departure  from  the  ordinary 
methods  of  Church  work,  that  a  flexible  use  of  the  Liturgy 
at  evangelistic  services  may  lead  to  a  serious  disregard  of 
rubrics  ;  and  that  the  mission  services  may  enkindle  unholy 
excitement,  to  be  followed  by  reaction.  But  the  most 
conservative  Churchmen  who  had  witnessed  its  progress 
and  the  accompaniments  of  the  Advent  Mission's  flexible 
services,  and  had  very  carefully  watched  its  modes  of 
Gospel  work,  had  dismissed  their  fears  ;  and  with  himself 
they  are  now  devoutly  thankful  and  fervently  courageous 
to  seek  hereafter  through  mission  modes  the  growth  in 
grace  of  Christians  and  the  conversion  of  the  ungodly  ; 
and  thus  additionally  promote  the  glory  of  God,  wrho  gave 
His  only  begotten  Son  to  die  as  the  proof  of  His  hatred  of 
sin,  and  of  His  love  for  the  sinner,  and  His  unwillingness 
that  any  should  perish.  After  an  appropriate  hymn,  the 
next  address  was  made  by  Bishop  Elliott,  based  on 

THE    THREEFOLD    BENEDICTION. 

He  considered  :  (a)  The  love  of  God  the  Father  ;  (b)  the 
grace  of  God  the  Son  ;  (c)  the  fellowship  of  God  the 
Holy  Ghost.  His  remarks  on  each  division  of  this  bene- 
diction were  uttered  in  a  tone  of  voice  indicative  of  the 
gratitude  in  his  own  soul  for  their  triune  blessing  on  the 
now  closing  mission.  The  Bishop  solemnly  said  :  "  Soon 
we  will  meet  each  other  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ  to 
hear  words  of  benediction  or  of  condemnation  ;  and  only 
those  who  now  have  in  their  hearts  the  grace  of  the  Lord 


77/. l.YA'Si;/ J rING  SER  VICE  IX  CALVARY  ( 7/ ( rR( '//.    \ 59 

Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the  communion  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  will  then   hear  the  Saviour's  benediction, 

I  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  Kingdom 
prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.'  " 

THE    REV.    DR.    SATTERLEE's    ADDRESS 

was  the  last,  but  not  the  least,  in  pathos  and  in  rever- 
ence. He  said  that,  during  the  mission,  many  had  drawn 
very  near  to  God,  and  none  can  tell  what  God  had 
done  in  blessing  the  parish.  Now  they  had  met  to  render 
unto  Him  their  glad  thanksgiving.  They  had  commenced 
the  mission  in  faith  and  humble  dependence,  and  they  now 
closed  it  with  psalms  of  thanksgiving.  "  The  day  ap- 
proaches," he  said,  "  when  we  will  begin  the  eternal  thanks- 
giving. The  world's  pleasures  begin  with  joy,  but  end  in 
sorrow.  Life  in  Christ  begins  with  penitential  sorrow,  but 
continues  with  everlasting  gladness.  The  mission  has  been 
a  very  precious  season  to  many  of  us  ;  and  if  others  desire 
to  come  to  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  you  must  approach 
Him  in  sincerity  and  truth.  Those  who  had  taken  the  step 
of  repentance  were  taught  what  true  repentance  includes. 
Such  now  know  what  the  joy  of  thanksgiving  means." 

HOW    TO    AVOID    A    RELIGIOUS    REACTION. 

(a)  "  Our  feelings,"  said  the  speaker,  "  must  pass  into 
holy  action  for  greater  future  usefulness  ;  otherwise,  the 
much-dreaded  reaction  surely  comes.  (&)  We  must  inquire 
from  our  hearts,  '  Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  ? '  " 
Turning  to  face  the  Bishop  missioners,  Dr.  Satterlee  said  : 

II  Rt.  Rev.  Fathers  in  God,  you  have  come  thousands  of 
miles  as  messengers  sent  to  us  by  God,  through  Him  to 
bless  us.  At  the  last  great  day,  may  we  stand  side  by  side 
before  the  great  white  throne,  as  we  are  here  now  assembled 
in  the  house  of  God,  and  reign   with  Him   as   kings  and 


460  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

priests  forever  and  ever."  Choir  and  congregation  heartily 
sang  the  Gloria  in  Excelsis.  The  closing  thanksgiving 
prayer  was  offered  by  Bishop  Tuttle  ;  and  after  he  had 
pronounced  the  benediction  of  peace  the  Nunc  Dimittis 
was  softly  sung,  the  people  kneeling.  The  Holy  Com- 
munion was  celebrated  Tuesday  at  10  a.m.,  and  the  mis- 
sion in  Calvary  Church  was  ended. 

All  of  the  services  were  well  attended,  and  the  Bishop 
missioners  made  solemn  and  deep  impressions  by  their 
able  and  earnest  sermons  and  addresses.  Dr.  Satterlee 
labored  so  long  and  earnestly  as  President  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements,  that  many  rejoice  with  him  in  view 
of  the  blessings  his  own  large  parish  has  already  received. 

The  author,  who  could  not  be  present  at  all  the  services, 
requested  Dr.  Satterlee  to  have  prepared  for  him  an  answer 
to  the  question  : 

"  WHAT    RESULTS    WERE    MANIFEST    DURING    THE    MISSION  ?' 

11  Many  of  the  good  results  of  the  mission  will  not  be 
revealed  until  the  Day  of  Final  Harvest  ;  for  until  then 
they  will  widen  in  their  circle.  The  results  apparent  were  : 
(a)  At  each  of  the  services  the  attendance  was  large,  and 
devoutly  attentive.  In  addition  to  .the  deeply  religious 
and  working  members  of  the  parish,  members  of  families, 
who  had  before  but  occasionally  attended  services  at 
Calvary  Church,  became  interested  ;  and  whole  families, 
for  the  first  time,  united  in  prayer  and  praise  to  God  at 
the  mission  services,  (d)  The  number  of  strangers  who 
were  regular  worshippers  during  the  mission  services  were 
much  larger  than  the  rector  and  others  expected.  (<r)  The 
desire  of  regular  members  of  the  parish  to  engage  here- 
after in  some  department  of  work  for  Christ  and  His  Church 
was  most  gratifying  to  the  rector  and  his  devoted  Church- 
workers,      {d)  The  attendance    at  the  celebrations  of  the 


THANKSGIVING  SERVICE  IX  CALVARY  CHURCH.    461 

Holy  Communion  increased  from  day  to  day,  and  the 
great  privilege  of  the  faithful  observance  of  this  Blessed 
Sacrament  never  before  was  more  happily  appreciated  by 
the  members  of  Calvary  Church,  (e)  The  pleasant  service 
of  intercessory  prayer  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour  each 
evening  before  the  public  mission  service  was  most  profit- 
able, and  warrants  the  expectation  of  most  hopeful  results. 
(/)  The  mission  wrought  a  unity  and  harmony  and  a 
Christian  fellowship  among  members  of  the  parish  which 
only  these  strictly  devotional  and  unselfish  services  could 
accomplish,  (g)  Many  incidents  daily  come  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  rector  and  missioners  deeply  affecting  in  char- 


EXTRACTS    FROM    BISHOP    TUTTLE  S    LETTER. 

Bishop  Tuttle,  in  his  letter  to  the  New  York  Churchman, 
said  : 

11  If  we  may  venture  to  pass  judgment,  we  would  name 
the  following  as  the  good  results  of  our  mission  : 

11  i.  The  preparatory  work  was  big  with  blessing.  Under 
the  wise  and  zealous  rector  all  Calvary  congregation  was 
aroused.  Some  practised  for  the  singing,  some  attended 
to  the  printing,  a  large  amount  of  which  was  judiciously 
done.  Some  prepared  themselves  to  be  courteous  and 
intelligent  ushers.  Some  provided  for  the  things  specially 
needed  for  the  children's  service.  A  great  many  started 
out  in  willing  zeal,  and  visited  every  house  in  a  large  district 
around,  telling  of  the  mission  and  inviting  to  it.  All  were 
bidden  and  urged  to  earnest  prayer  in  public  and  in  private 
for  the  special  presence  and  blessing  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
upon  the  mission.  All  this,  of  itself,  was  a  precious  arousal 
of  the  people  to  unselfish  and  beneficent  activity. 

11  2.  The  people  of  the  congregation  have  come  to  know 
each   other   better,    and    have    grown    nearer    in     mutual 


462  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

sympathy  and  helpfulness.  The  frequent  services  and  the 
holy  atmosphere  of  fervent  prayer  and  religious  earnest- 
ness so  warmed  and  cheered  those  who  came,  that  coldness 
melted  away,  and  a  delightful  appreciation  grew  of  our 
oneness  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  the  things  of  spiritual  faith  and 
hope  that  touch  the  deepest  and  tenderest  interests  of 
human  souls. 

"3.  Many  Christians  have  roused  themselves  to  ask,  each 
one  of  his  or  her  own  soul,  '  Is  it  well  with  thee  ?  '  and  to 
resolve,  wTith  God's  help,  to  do  better  duty,  and  to  avail 
themselves  more  gratefully  and  earnestly  of  their  privileges. 
Nor  shall  the  resolve  settle  into  the  stagnant  lees  of  selfish- 
ness. One  and  another  are  asking  in  heart,  '  Lord,  what 
wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  ? '  and  they  will  be  asking  their 
pastor  with  their  voice,  '  What  can  we  take  in  hand  to 
help  you  and  to  help  our  fellows  ?' 

11  4.  Some  have  been  moved  out  of. their  indifference  and 
impenitence,  and  are  crying  aloud,  '  Sirs,  what  must  we 
do  to  be  saved  ?'  It  must  be  candidly  confessed,  however, 
that  fewer  of  this  class  presented  themselves  than  we  had 
hoped  to  see.  Yet,  in  answer  to  the  invitations  of  the 
visitors  and  the  notices  on  the  handbills  distributed, 
numbers  of  strangers  were  in  constant  attendance. 

"  My  brother  of  Western  Texas  and  myself  desire  to  put 
on  record  that  the  mission  was  singularly  precious  and 
profitable  and  blessed  to  us  and  our  own  souls.  We  humbly 
think  God  the  Holy  Spirit  led  and  helped  the  work.  We 
have  heartily  prayed  Him,  and  do  heartily  pray  Him  now, 
to  bless  the  work  and  its  results  in  human  hearts  and 
souls  and  lives.' 


THE  MISSION  IX  CA  L  VA  R  Y  CHA  PEL .  463 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    CALVARY    CHAPEL. 

The  Missioners — The  Various  Services — The  American  Govern- 
ment—  The  Almighty  Dollar  Worshipped — The  Deans  Devoted 
Sister — Her  Useful  Labors — Bishop  Walker — The  Rev.  F. 
IV.  Tompkins. 

At  Calvary  Chapel  the  very  Rev.  H.  M.  Hart,  Dean  of 
St.  John's  Cathedral,  Denver,  Colorado,  and  the  Rev.  H. 
Bedinger,  Rector  of  St.  Luke's  Church,  Matteawan,  N.  Y., 
were  the  missioners.  In  the  afternoon  services  were  held 
for  "  men  only  ;"  for  "  women  only  ;"  for  "  boys  only  ;" 
for  "  girls  only  ;"  and  "  children's  praise  service."  Some 
of  the  topics  of  the  addresses  were  :  "  Wash  and  be 
Clean  ;"  "  The  Man  that  Sowed  Corn  in  the  Road  ;" 
"The  Reply  of  Samuel;''  "Renounce,  Believe,  Obey;" 
"  Commandments  i  to  n."  "  Prayer."  The  subjects  of 
the  mission  sermons  were  :  "  Come,  for  all  Things  are 
Ready  ;"  "  Sin  :  Adam,  Where  art  Thou  ?"  "  Sin  :  For- 
giveness, the  Brazen  Serpent;''  "Repentance:  Balaam, 
Achan,  David,  Judas."  "  Sin  :  Its  Conquest,  Jehovah, 
Nissi,  Saul,  and  Amalek."  "  Sin  :  Its  Perfect  Cleansing, 
the  Leper,  Christ  Healing  the  Paralytic."  "  Be  of  Good 
Cheer."  Blessings  of  the  mission  :  "  Lord,  what  wilt 
Thou  have  me  to  do  ?" 

As  a  substitute  for  any  extracts  from  the  mission  sermons 
of  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  Hart,  Missioner,  preached  in  Cal- 
vary Chapel,  a  few  extracts  showing  an  Englishman's  can- 


464  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

did  conclusions  respecting  the  American  nation  may  in- 
terest the  reader.     The  Dean  said  : 

11  This  great  people  deliberately  placed  itself  in  the  rank 
of  a  Christian  nation.  The  founders  of  the  country  were 
men  of  deep  and  real  godliness.  Washington's  pen  is  still 
an  object  of  interest  in  the  Church  at  Alexandria,  Virginia. 
In  that  most  thrilling  of  State  papers,  '  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,"  the  Divine  Protection  is  most  solemnly 
invoked.  The  expressions  were  not  the  mere  formal  rec- 
ognition of  a  Superior  Power,  but  they  were  the  genuine 
and  heartfelt  utterances  of  religious  men.  It  was  their 
plain  intention  that  the  '  fear  of  the  Lord  '  should  be  the 
corner-stone  of  the  nation  over  whose  birth  they  were  pre- 
siding— of  the  fabric  whose  constitution  they  were  erecting. 
Their  prayers  were  heard — '  their  children  have  seen  their 
glory' — for  their  spirit  is  alive  in  every  ramification  of  the 
power  which  has  issued  from  that  Constitution,  which,  like 
iron  bands,  forges  into  solid  compact  these  United  States. 
In  all  directions  the  religious  spirit  expresses  itself  ;  in 
every  Congress,  in  every  detail  of  execution,  legislation, 
and  even  of  judicial  business  there  is  a  recognition  that 
God  is  Supreme,  and  that  ruling  without  Him  cannot  be 
here  in  America.  Governors,  legislators,  judges,  jurors, 
witnesses — all  swear  by  Him  that  liveth  forever  and  ever, 
that  their  words  and  acts  shall  be  ruled  by  His  righteous- 
ness. .  .  .  Your  privileges  are  great  indeed  !  Have  you 
lived  up  to  them  ?  Ye  cannot  be  consigned  to  heaven  by 
acts  of  '  Congress  '  or  the  will  of  the  President,  or  even 
by  the  '  national '  idea.  Every  man  must  give  an  account 
of  himself  to  God.  Every  man  must  give  his  own  heart 
unto  the  Lord,  and  live  '  walking  with  God  in  this  life,' 
if  he  means  to  walk  with  God  hereafter. 

"  Nay  !  does  not  extreme  privilege  heighten  responsibil- 
ity ?  Where  is  there  a  nation  on  earth  whose  executive  chief 


THE  MISSION  IN  CALVARY  CHAPEL.  465 

has  issued  a  proclamation  for  the  public  acknowledgment  to 
Almighty  God  for  the  blessings  of  the  year  ?  Where  ?  there 
is  not  one  on  earth  !  Now,  brethren,  I  maintain  that  this 
public  avowal  entails  an  enormous  personal  responsibility. 
A  very  serious  complaint  will  the  great  adversary  be  able  to 
make  against  us — that  whereas  over  other  peoples  a  cloud 
of  non-remembrance  has  settled  down,  to  us  there  comes 
the  trumpet  call  to  a  Holy  Convocation — our  very  Secular 
Government  assumes  the  garb  of  a  Lord's  prophet  and 
1  puts  us  in  remembrance.'  Is  the  waif  and  the  stray  who 
never  knew  his  father  and  whose  mother  would  have  dis- 
carded him  if  she  could — is  he  to  stand  under  the  same  con- 
dition of  judgment  as  the  boy  of  Christian  parents,  who 
has  been  brought  up  in  '  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord  '  ?  What  !  and  shall  we  admit  no  greater  re- 
sponsibility than  the  nations  who  know  not  God  ? 

"  And  now  let  me  ask  in  all  honesty,  Have  we  lived  up 
to  our  responsibilities  ? 

"  The  dollar,  the  silver  dollar,  which  is  the  signet  on  the 
right  hand  of  this  nation,  has  in  raised  letters,  boldly  upon 
its  face,  '  In  God  we  Trust.'  .  .  .  Do  we  not  rather  trust 
in  the  dollar  than  in  the  God  who  literally  gives  it  ?  .  .  . 
Brethren,  the  great  mass  of  men — ay,  even  of  you — do  not 
trust  in  God,  but  at  this  moment  are  collecting  wealth  with 
feverish  eargerness  ;  and  as  you  do  it  you  breathlessly  hope 
you  are  nearer  and  nearer  the  point  when  you  can  con- 
sider you  are  out  of  harm's  way,  and  can  say  to  your  soul  : 
'  Soul,  thou  hast  much  goods  laid  up  for  many  years  ;  now 
take  thine  ease.'   .   .  . 

"  The  law  of  labor  is  the  law  of  Godly  life — '  In  the  sweat 
of  thy  brow  shalt  thou  eat  bread  ' — and  the  heft,  the  toil, 
the  energy  expended  in  the  securing  of  daily  bread,  is  an 
essential  ingredient  to  happy  healthful  life.  Without  work 
no  life  is  satisfactory  to  its  liver,  and  yet  with  what  purpose 


466  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

is  it  that  men  try  to  accumulate  fortunes  ?  Is  it  not  that 
their  children  may  commence  life  at  the  place  wiiere  they 
left  off  ?— only  without  the  self-education  they  have  had  in 
the  securing  of  the  fortune.  Now  let  the  experience  of 
history  speak  to  you.  I  am  told  that  there  are  not  four 
families  in  this  vast  country  whose  second  generation  has 
not  squandered  harmfully  the  wealth  the  father  bequeathed. 
This  is  an  old  story  ;  it  is  like  saying,  '  All  men  are  mortal.' 
Everybody  admits  the  fact,  but  nobody  is  influenced  by 
it.   .    .   . 

"  I  suppose  it  will  be  readily  granted  that  the  work- 
power,  the  energy,  the  mental  capability  which  make  a 
man  a  successful  minister,  would  if  applied  in  other  chan- 
nels make  him  a  successful  banker  or  a  successful  merchant. 
Well  now,  here  is  a  very  large  class  of  men  who  cannot 
'  lay  up  '  a  fortune  for  their  families.  ...  I  have  never 
known  a  clergyman's  family  suffer  from  the  fact  that  their 
father's  profession  precluded  him  leaving  them  a  decent 
competency  at  his  death.  On  the  other  hand,  it  has  invari- 
ably been  my  observation  that  clergymen's  sons  and 
daughters  have  proved  better  men  and  women,  more  use- 
ful in  their  day  and  generation,  more  beneficial  to  their 
neighborhood,  more  respected  and  more  beloved  than  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  other  people.  And  this  wide  asser- 
tion might  have  been  anticipated  by  anybody  choosing  to 
consider  how  tliey  were  brought  up.  A  small  salary 
demanded  and  encouraged  a  care  for  money.  The  clergy- 
man, of  a  certainty,  knew  all  the  distress  in  his  parish. 
Let  a  stroke  of  good  fortune  come  to  any  of  you — let  some 
signal  mercy  come  to  you — you  never  come  to  me  to  tell  of 
your  joy,  and  to  offer  a  share  of  '  the  Godsend  '  to  His 
service  who  gave  it  you  ;  but  let  trouble  come,  and  if  you 
don't  come  to  me,  or  if  I  neglect  to  come  to  you,  curious 
comments  are  made. 


THE  MISSION  IN  CALVAR  Y  CI/.  I  PEL  .  1<»7 

"  The  clergyman  has  therefore  to  give  constantAy  out  ot 
his  little.  This  loosens  the  sympathies  of  his  children, 
makes  them  think  nothing  of  '  comforts,'  nothing  or 
luxuries,  nothing  of  the  '  pride'  of  wealth,  and  nothing  of 
themselves  ;  and  that  training  makes  clergymen's  children 
what  they  are  ;  and  when  the  husband  and  father  dies,  he 
has  left  to  his  children  a  legacy  priceless  above  rubies — 
the  legacy  of  splendid  characters. 

11  I  remember  one  of  my  sisters  used  to  go  every  Satur- 
day, with  a  little  basket  of  cold  provisions  on  her  arm — she 
walked  five  miles — to  a  wood  in  my  father's  parish  where 
several  hundred  men  were  making  a  vast  reservoir.  She 
slept  in  a  wooden  hut,  preached  and  taught  all  Sunday, 
and  walked  back  Monday  morning.  She  did  that  without 
interruption  for  five  years,  and  no  one  thought  it  remark- 
able, and  no  one  would  have  been  more  surprised  than  her- 
self if  it  had  been  called  hardship.  And  what  think  you 
was  the  effect  on  that  encampment  cf  rough  laborers  ?  It 
became  in  five  years  a  Christian  community,  and  the  work 
she  did  then  was  the  beginning  of  a  movement  which  has 
brought  the  Gospel,  with  its  attendants  of  night-schools, 
savings-banks,  Church  guilds,  temperance  clubs,  etc.,  to 
the  seventy  thousand  navvies  who  are  scattered  on  railways 
and  docks  and  public  works  all  over  England.  And  what 
enabled  her  to  do  it  ?  The  life  of  economy  we  all  of  us 
were  compelled  to  lead — economy  of  money,  of  food,  of 
clothes,  and,  above  all,  of  time.  And  now  I  look  back  and 
I  ask  myself  had  I  rather  possess — even  in  the  small  degree 
I  do  possess  them— these  qualities  than  three  or  four  thou- 
sand dollars  from  my  father's  estate.  ...  I  am  not  for- 
getful of  St.  Paul's  common-sense  words,  '  He  that  pro- 
videth  not  for  his  own  is  worse  than  an  infidel,'  because 
he  practically  shows  that  to  him  the  future  is  not  real,  and 


468  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

that -is  what  is  the  matter  with  an  infidel.  But  '  providing 
for  his  own  '  is  not  laying  up  a  fortune,  but  bestowing  on 
his  own  that  whereby  they  may  get  a  living  ;  and  if  you 
want  to  make  your  children  happy,  do  not  give  them 
money,  but  give  them  that  whereby  they  can  get  money  to 
live  upon  ;  for  the  zest  of  life,  the  education  of  trust,  of 
faith,  of  hope  is  not  to  be  attained  in  the  spending,  but 
in  the  earning  of  money  !" 

The  practical  manner  in  which  the  Dean  writes  illustrates 
his  power  as  a  fluent  extempore  speaker.  His  labors  at 
Calvary  Chapel,  as  in  other  places,  were  appreciated.  The 
congregation  was  small  at  the  commencement  of  the  mis- 
sion, but  increased  until  the  place  was  filled. 

For  several  years  the  Rev.  W.  D.  Walker  was  the  suc- 
cessful and  much-beloved  minister  of  Calvary  Chapel.  But 
in  obedience  to  the  voice  of  the  General  Convention  and 
his  conviction  respecting  his  duty,  he  resigned  his  pastoral 
work  in  New  York  City,  to  become  the  Missionary  Bish- 
op of  the  North  Dakota  Mission.  He  is  now  the  chief 
pastor  in  that  portion  of  Dakota  Territory  lying  north 
of  the  46th  parallel,  embracing  seventy-five  thousand 
square  miles  of  territory,  and  a  population  of  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand.  His  successor  as  minister  of 
Calvary  Chapel  is  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Tompkins,  Jr.,  who 
has  labored  with  great  faithfulness,  and  whose  ministra- 
tions have  been  greatly  blessed.  He  is  deeply  interested 
in  Parochial  Missions,  which  are  not  designed  to  supersede 
ordinary  ministrations,  nor  to  be  a  substitute  for  our  es- 
tablished parish  system,  but  an  essential  supplementary 
agency  to  make  it  more  efficient  in  bringing  the  unsaved 
into  Christ's  sheepfold.  Our  stately  Sunday  services  are 
for  trained  worshippers,  but  are  inappropriate  for  those 
who  cannot  sincerely  sing  the  Venite,  the  Te  Deum,  and 


THE  MISSION  IN  CALVAR  Y  CHAPEL.  469 

the  Gloria.  But  through  God's  blessing  on  Parochial  Mis- 
sions, many  who  blasphemed  God's  holy  name  can  now 
truly  worship  the  Holy  Trinity  in  unity. 

To  implore  the  Divine  blessing  on  the  mission  in  Calvary 
Chapel,  half  an  hour  before  the  commencement  of  the  mis- 
sion service  a  prayer-meeting  was  held.  The  answers  to 
special  petitions  cheered  the  Rector,  the  assistant  ministers, 
and  the  Missioners.  After  the  mission  ended  devout 
thanksgiving  ascended  to  God,  who  is  always  more  ready 
to  hear  than  we  are  to  pray. 


470  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    ST.    MARY    THE    VIRGIN. 

The  Rector  and  the  Missioners —  The  Rich  Man  and  Lazarus — 
The  Chancel  not  Bright — Father  Betts' s  Sermon  — The  End  of 
All  Things —  The  After-Meeting — Description  of  the  Mission- 
ers— Some  Results  of  the  Mission. 

The  Church  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  being  higher  in  the 
ecclesiastical  scale  than  any  of  the  other  churches  spoken 
of,  the  rector,  assistant  clergy,  and  two  missioners  have  a 
paternal  prefix  to  their  names.  The  rector  is  "  Father" 
Brown.  The  missioners  are  Father  Betts,  of  St.  Louis,  and 
Father  Larabee,  of  Chicago.  The  fathers,  however,  are 
not  old  men,  but  comparatively  young  men,  full  of  zeal, 
devotion,  and  vigor.  At  missions  in  churches  termed 
11  Ritualistic,"  as  the  evening  service  is  more  especially  for 
preaching  the  Gospel,  the  candles  on  the  altar,  the  large 
one  each  side  on  the  chancel  step,  and  the  seven  pendent 
lamps  suspended  to  the  beam,  above  which  is  a  large  cross, 
were  not  lighted  ;  and  in  comparison  with  the  body  of 
the  church  the  chancel  was  not  bright. 

THE    PARTICULAR    AND    THE    GENERAL    JUDGMENT. 

The  several  services  on  Sunday  kept  all  unusually  active, 
and  the  congregations  were  unusually  large.  At  the  morn- 
ing service  Father  Betts  preached  concerning  "  the  begin- 
ning of  all  things."  Just  before  the  service  commenced  in 
the  evening   Father   Larabee  came   to   the  chancel  rail  to 


CHURCH  OF  ST.  MARY  THE   VIRGIX.  471 

explain  what  some  one  had  requested — viz.,  the  difference 
between  the  particular  and  the  general  judgment.  In  a 
distinct  voire  he  stated  that  the  particular  judgment  takes 
place  at  death,  and  the  general  judgment  at  Christ's  return 
to  summon  all  before  Him.  The  first  is  brought  to  view  in 
the  description  of  Lazarus,  who  was  carried  by  angels  to  a 
place  of  bliss,  and  the  rich  man  to  a  place  of  misery.  This 
cannot  refer  to  the  last  judgment  ;  for  the  rich  man  had  five 
brethren  alive  upon  the  earth.  The  anticipation  of  each 
was  a  foretaste  of  what,  will  be  consummated  when  Christ 
will  announce  award  and  penalty  at  the  end  of  all  things. 
He  then  left  the  chancel.  Father  Betts  then  entered,  and 
(a)  offered  a  prayer  for  himself  ;  (/>)  said  the  "Veni  Creator/' 
in  unison  with  the  people  ;  (c)  said  a  few  collects  and  an- 
nounced another  hymn,  which,  with  the  congregation,  he 
fervently  sang. 

THE    DESTINY    OF    ALL    THINGS    TEMPORAL. 

At  the  close  of  the  hymn  Father  Betts  entered  the  pul- 
pit, and  announced  as  his  text  :  "  The  end  of  these  things 
is  death"  (Romans,  sixth  chapter,  twenty-first  verse).  He 
said  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  Church  year  he  had 
preached  respecting  the  beginning  of  all  things,  which,  by 
the  law  of  association,  suggested  the  end  of  all  things. 
As  he  began  to  preach,  his  striking  appearance  and  earnest 
manner  caused  persons  not  familiar  with  "  ritualistic  ser- 
vices "  to  forget  that  his  surplice  was  short,  his  cassock 
long,  and  the  costly  and  beautiful  altar,  which,  with  all 
other  temporal  things,  must  sooner  or  later  come  to  an  end. 
The  sermon  vividly  depicted  how  whatever  is  beautiful  as 
soon  as  it  begins  to  live  begins  to  die.  The  variegated 
colors  of  flowers  fade  and  their  perfume  departs  ;  and 
death  breathes  decay  on  all  things  earthly.  He  then 
showed  that  death  becomes  more  revolting  the  higher  we 


472  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ascend  in  the  scale  of  creation,  and  described  death's 
gradual  work  on  man — gradually  and  silently  dimming 
the  brightest  eye,  wiping  the  bloom  from  the  cheek,  weak- 
ening the  muscles  until  the  strongest  limbs  tremble,  pros- 
trating the  body  on  a  bed  of  sickness,  weakening  the  nerves 
so  that  the  slightest  sound  gives  pain,  and  paralyzing  the 
tongue  so  that  it  cannot  speak  in  a  whisper  ;  till  at  length 
the  physician  says  :  "  It  will  be  useless  for  me  to  come 
again."  Next  he  described  the  awful  loneliness  of  a  per- 
son dying  who  is  without  Christ  and  without  hope,  until 
the  emotion  he  had  stirred  in  his  hearers  found  relief  in 
silent,  trickling  tears.  As  if  the  preacher  could  no  longer 
control  his  own  stirred  feelings,  he  suddenly  paused,  and 
announced  the  hymn  commencing, 

"  I  need  Thee  every  hour,  most  gracious  Lord  !" 

To  a  familiar  tune  in  the  "  Sankey  Hymnal,"  clergy  and 
congregation  fervently  sang  each  verse,  and  between  each, 
with  increasing  and  imploring  tone,  the  chorus  : 

"  I  need  Thee,  oh  !  1  need  Thee, 
Every  hour  I  need  Thee  !" 

The  preacher  then  described  the  happiness  of  the  believer's 
soul  that,  at  the  moment  of  death,  passes  into  the  embrace 
of  Jesus  ;  and,  in  contrast,  the  awful  condition  of  a  soul 
dead  in  trespasses. 

The  conclusion  of  the  sermon  was  intensely  practical  and 
fearless.  "  I  see,"  said  the  preacher,  "  handsome  men  and 
women  who  spend  hours  before  their  mirrors,  shamefully 
painting  their  faces  ;  you  must  die,  and  go  where  are  no 
looking-glasses,  and  the  eyes  that  gazed  at  forbidden  objects 
be  destroyed  and  worms  crawl  through  their  sockets.  To 
die  is  to  bid  '  good-by  '  to  whatever  is  earthly,  and  be 
launched  into  eternity  !  Is  it  not  wise  to  think  of  our 
departure  ?"     How  long  have  I  to  live  ?  is  a  question  that 


CHURCH  OF  ST.  MARY  THE   VIRGIN.  473 

has  come  down  to  us  from  all  ages,  which  God  does  not 
answer.  Instead  of  asking,  Shall  I  die  this  year,  this 
month,  this  day  or  this  night  ?  it  is  more  important  to  ask, 
What  kind  of  death  shall  I  die  ?  Shall  I  die  after  a  linger- 
ing illness,  or,  suddenly,  on  the  railway,  or  upon  the 
ocean  ?  Shall  I  die  a  culprit  on  the  scaffold  or  among 
strangers,  or  at  home  with  beloved  ones  ?  Shall  I  die  in 
the  presence  of  God's  minister,  who  pointed  me  to  the 
Saviour  and  administered  to  me  His  Holy  Sacraments  ? 
After  the  preacher  closed  his  solemn  and  impressive  ser- 
mon, he  announced  the  hymn, 

"  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood  ;" 
and  between  each  verse  was  sung  the  chorus  : 

"  I  do  believe,  I  will  believe, 
That  Jesus  died  for  me,"  etc. 

The  missioner,  having  removed  his  surplice,  attired  in 
his  cassock,  gave  "  the  instruction  "  while  walking  up  and 
down  the  central  aisle,  urging  the  unsaved  to  at  once  es- 
cape from  eternal  hopelessness  through  true  repentance 
and  faith  in  Christ  the  only  Saviour.  He  closed  his  instruc- 
tion by  stating  that  repentance  consists  of  (a)  contrition  ; 
(&)  restitution  ;  (c)  confession,  and  gave  illustrative  inci- 
dents in  proof  of  his  statements. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    MISSIONERS. 

The  Rev.  Fathers  Betts  and  Larabee,  missioners  at  the 
Church  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  are  young  men  who  give 
promise  of  great  usefulness  as  missioners.  Father  Lara- 
bee,  of  Chicago,  has  a  clear  intellect  and  a  good  voice, 
and,  like  Father  Brown,  the  rector,  a  beaming  face  and 
suavity  of  manner.  Father  Betts,  from  St.  Louis,  has  a 
tall  and  dignified  body,  a  well-shaped  head,  a  very  marked 
profile,  and  possesses  oratorical   power  for  an  efficient  mis- 


474  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

sioner.  His  voice  is  rich  and  deep  and  musical  ;  his  gestures 
few  and  graceful  ;  and  his  general  manner  solemn  and  very 
reverential.  He  possesses  a  good  degree  of  logical,  poet- 
ical, descriptive,  and  sympathetic  power.  His  arguments 
are  convincing,  his  illustrations  pictorial,  and  his  exhorta- 
tions move  the  heart.  With  great  plainness  of  speech  he 
depicts  the  shortcomings  of  Christians,  and  implores  them 
to  ascend  higher  and  still  higher  up  the  ladder  of  the 
means  of  grace  to  the  heavenly  altitudes,  and,  through  a 
consecrated  life,  live  on  earth  the  life  of  heaven.  With 
fervent  faithfulness  he  warns  the  impenitent  of  their  guilt 
and  danger  ;  beseeches  them  at  once  to  break  away  from 
their  sins  and  accept  Christ  as  their  Almighty  Saviour  ;  by 
baptism  have  the  outward  sign  of  the  inward  grace  ;  in  the 
rite  of  confirmation  publicly  confess  Him  ;  and  at  the  Holy 
Communion  receive  soul  nutriment  and  the  assurance  of 
pardon  and  heirship  of  His  kingdom. 

THE    GENERAL    INTEREST    MANIFEST. 

At  each  of  the  services  for  women  only,  at  the  Church 
of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  the  church  was  full  every  time. 
At  the  services  for  men  only  the  preacher's  denunciations 
of  bad  habits,  and  his  appeal  for  purity,  temperance,  and 
the  protection  of  women,  etc.,  were  most  attentively 
listened  to  by  the  men  of  all  ages  who  were  present.  At 
the  services  for  children  only,  the  poor  and  rich  assembled, 
and  children  not  of  the  parish  were  brought  by  guardians 
to  hear  the  addresses.  The  four  celebrations  daily  of  the 
Holy  Communion  were  well  attended.  Many  men  were 
present  ;  some  from  the  suburbs  and  country.  At  the 
evening  prayer,  at  4  o'clock,  there  was  a  large  attendance, 
and  the  sermons  on  the  parables  were  eagerly  listened  to. 
At  the  mission  services — 8  o'clock  every  night — the  church 
was  full  from  the  first  night.     Many  of  the  poor  were  pres- 


CHURCH  OF  ST.  MARY  THE   VIRGIN.  475 

ent.  After  the  public  instructions  were  many  private  in- 
terviews with  the  missioners.  The  description  of  the  Eng- 
lish missioners  is  in  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  V., 
Chapter  XXXII. 


476  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

MISSION    AT    ST.   GEORGE'S    CHURCH,    STUYVESANT    SQUARE. 

The  Vision  of  the  Holy  Jehovah — The  Prophet  Isaiah  Pros- 
trated—  The  Voice  of  Mercy —Sermon  for  Men  Only— The 
Standard  of  Righteousness — The  Mission  to  Children — Little 
Foxes  Spoil  the  Vines. 

At  8  o'clock  a.m.  the  Holy  Communion  was  cele- 
brated. At  the  ii  o'clock  service  the  Rector  read  the 
morning  prayer  ;  the  Rev.  \V.  Hay  Aitken  preached  the 
sermon.  His  text  was  Isaiah  6  :  3-5.  In  his  descriptive 
introduction  he  vividly  depicted  the  vision  of  the  Holy 
Jehovah,  Lord  of  the  celestial  hosts  ;  how  the  prophet  was 
overpowered  more  by  His  spotless  holiness  than  by  His 
majestic  greatness  ;  that  his  own  sinfulness  in  comparison 
therewith  caused  him  to  cry,  in  wailing  tone  :  "  Woe  is 
me,  for  I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips  ;;'  and  that  he  recovered 
from  the  shock  through  the  seraph  who  touched  his  lips, 
and  the  voice  of  the  Holy  One  :  "I  have  forgiven  thy 
iniquity  !"  The  preacher  then  showed  (a)  that  man, 
who  is  not  awed  by  greatness,  nor  repelled  by  surpassing 
wisdom,  nor  terrified  by  the  visible  evidences  of  omnip- 
otent power  which  incite  his  admiration,  is  afraid  of  the 
presence  of  the  thrice  Holy  God,  through  a  consciousness 
of  his  own  sinfulness  ;  (0)  that  a  regeneration,  recreation, 
or  birth  from  above  is  essential  to  enable  man  to  bear  His 
presence  ;  for,  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  even 


M/SS/OV  AT  ST.   GEORGE* S.  177 


lee  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  only  the  pure  in  heart 
shall  see  God.  The  preacher  closed  the  solemn  sermon 
by  describing  the  plenteous  redemption  in  Christ,  the  only 
Saviour,  to  recover  mankind  from  the  ruin  caused  by  sin, 
and  deliverance  from  sin's  dominion,  and  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  to  sanctify  them,  body  and  spirit,  and  make 
them  meet  to  dwell  in  Gods  presence  forever  and  ever. 

MISSION    SERVICES    FOR    MEN    ONLY. 

One  of  Missioner  Aitken's  sermons  graphically  depicted 
God's  law  of  righteousness,  as  displayed  in  the  Decalogue, 
embracing  the  negative  and  positive  duties  of  man  to  him- 
self, and  the  negative  and  positive  duties  of  man  to 
society.  With  solemn  emphasis,  he  inquires  :  "  Have  we 
fulfilled  the  different  precepts  ?  If  you  never  did  a 
neighbor  any  harm,  have  you  ever  done  a  neighbor  any 
good  ?  Had  the  man  whom  the  priest  and  Levite  passed 
by  been  dead,  who  would  have  been  his  murderers?'' 
Would  not  they  have  been  his  half  and  negative  murderers, 
and  the  thieves  who  wounded  him  the  other  and  positive 
half?  "Young  man,  have  you  never  done  any  harm  by 
ribald  remarks  and  unholy  suggestions  ?"  Having  shown 
that  no  sinner  goes  to  perdition  alone,  the  preacher  alluded 
to  a  man  who,  at  a  mission,  told  him  that,  when  a  youth, 
through  the  evil  suggestion  of  a  young  man,  he  committed 
a  sin  which  had  contrived  to  hold  him  in  its  relentless 
grasp,  and  made  him  both  a  mental  and  physical  wreck. 
He  also  recited  the  case  of  a  man  who  came  to  him  in  great 
distress,  and  to  the  question,  "  What  can  I  do  for  you, 
sir?"  the  man  replied  :  "  Nothing  !  Nothing  I"  To  the 
statement,  "  But  Christ  can  save  you,"  he  answered  : 
"  Yes,  I  believe  that  !  But  how  can  I  face  at  His  judgment 
throne  those  whom  I  betrayed  and  who  died  impenitent  ?" 
The  solemn  discourse  was  closed  bv  the  declaration  that 


478  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  betrayers  of  all  who  are  called  "  unfortunates  "  must 
face  them  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ,  and  a  touching 
appeal  to  all  present  to  accept  the  Saviour's  offered  pardon 
for  all  their  sins  past,  and  grace  to  henceforth  live  a  life  of 
purity.  Mr.  Aitken's  second  discourse  to  men  only  was 
on  Temperance  or  Continence  ;  and  the  third  on  the  Final 
Judgment.  In  England  similar  services  for  men  only  are 
named  "  A  Crusade." 

The  addresses  to  men  only  were  of  an  unusually  prac- 
tical and  impressive  character,  and  depicted  the  impor- 
tance of  purity  of  thought,  word,  and  action.  With  great 
plainness  of  speech,  combined  with  great  delicacy,  the  mis- 
sioner  urged  them  to  avoid  whatever  may  act  as  a  spark 
to  enkindle  unholy  desires  and  inflame  carnal  passions  ; 
and  that  sins  which  one  would  shudder  to  have  named 
should  not  be  committed  ;  for,  if  so  repulsive  even  to  men- 
tion, how  heinous  to  the  Holy  Jehovah,  whose  omniscience 
searches  all  hearts,  discerns  all  desires,  and  to  whom  evil 
intentions  are  sinful  !  The  men  were  exhorted  to  remem- 
ber that,  at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  during  the  bright- 
ness of  the  day  and  the  darkness  of  the  night,  '*  Thou, 
God,  seest  me  !"  and  earnestly  implored  to  prove  them- 
selves honorable  men  by  always  acting  as  woman's  pro- 
tectors and  defenders  ;  for  pure  love  never  works  evil  to  a 
neighbor,  or  even  an  enemy. 

At  the  evening  service  Mr.  Sankey  was  present,  and  sang 
two  hymns.  The  congregation  was  very  large  :  the  body 
of  the  church  and  the  galleries  were  filled  ;  also  the  chancel 
steps  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit,  and  a  number  had  to  stand 
at  the  entrance  to  the  aisles. 

THE    MISSION    TO    CHILDREN    IN    ST.   GEORGE'S    CHURCH. 

The  Rev.  James  Stephens,  one  of  the  staff  of  the  Church- 
of-England    Parochial    Mission    Society,   possesses   special 


Ml  ssi  ox  at  st.  i  IE  or  ( ;/: '  .v.  179 

aptitude  for  moving  Christians  to  live  the  higher  life,  and 
also  to  interest  and  greatly  benefit  young  people  and  Sun- 
day-school children.  His  facial  expression  is  pleasing  ; 
his  voice  not  strong,  but  musical,  its  general  tone  conversa- 
tional, and,  when  addressing  young  children,  his  style  is 
colloquial.  His  childlike  simplicity  of  expression,  his 
skill  in  practical  application,  and  his  warm,  tender  sym- 
pathy rendered  his  sermons  powerfully  effective. 

In  one  of  his  sermons,  preached  to  a  large  congregation 
of  children,  based  on  the  text,  "  Take  us  the  foxes,  the  lit- 
tle foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines"  (Solomon  2  :  15),  Missioner 
Stephens  said  :  "  In  the  days  of  King  Solomon  the  owners 
of  the  large  vineyards  which  were  grown  in  eastern  coun- 
tries must  needs  provide  some  means  to  protect  their  young 
and  tender  vines  from  the  foxes,  who  are  well  known  to  be 
very  fond  of  grapes.  This  they  did  by  making  an  enclosure 
around  the  vineyard,  which  would  keep  out  the  large  foxes- 
but  it  was  difficult  to  prevent  the  little  foxes  from  coming 
in  and  destroying  the  vines,  for  they  had  all  the  cunning 
of  old  foxes."  He  then  stated  that  the  vines  Solomon 
spoke  of  were  the  young  and  tender  lives  of  children, 
which,  if  carefully  protected  from  evil,  would  grow  up 
in  symmetrical  beauty  and  strength,  and  produce  much 
good  fruit  in  their  season.  But  if  the  foxes  of  sinful  in- 
fluences were  allowed  to  break  in  upon  their  young  lives 
the  same  would  be  either  wholly  blighted,  or  if  they  did 
produce  fruit  it  would  be  evil  fruit.  The  children  listened 
as  if  they  could  see  what  the  preacher  simply  but  vividly 
described — the  old  foxes  entering  an  oriental  vineyard, 
stealing  the  ripened  bunches  of  grapes  within  reach,  and 
then  hurrying  away  ;  and  then  how  the  little  foxes  remained 
to  play  as  well  as  to  steal  the  grapes  ;  and,  by  nibbling  at 
the  branches,  not  only  destroyed  the  bark,  but  broke  them  ; 
which  cut  off  the  general  circulation  of  the  sap  from  the 


480  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED, 

roots,  through  the  vines,  and  thus  destroyed  them.  He  then 
showed  the  danger  they  would  often  be  in  from  little  sins 
trying  to  enter  their  hearts  when  they  were  secure  from  the 
larger  ones.  A  boy  who  wouldn't  think  of  swearing,  drink- 
ing, gambling,  or  committing  other  sins  of  like  nature 
might  yield  to  the  temptation  to  tell  a  falsehood,  act  a  small 
deceit,  or  take  some  little  thing  that  didn't  belong  to  him. 
Little  girls  who  would  scorn  the  idea  of  doing  a  violently 
wicked  thing  to  hurt  papa's  or  mamma's  feelings  or  be 
guilty  of  harsh  unkindness  to  playmates  might  commit  such 
little  sins  as  story-telling  and  the  like  without  ever  think- 
ing that  little  sins,  like  little  foxes  among  the  vines,  would 
destroy  the  good  in  their  natures,  leaving  them  warped  and 
dwarfed.  After  giving  several  instances  in  which  young 
people  had  been  made  miserable  by  the  commission  of  sins 
which  looked  insignificant,  he  illustrated  objectively  the 
terrible  effects  of  such  apparently  small  violations  of  right. 
The  preacher  asked  the  children  to  describe  the  character 
of  Master  Little  Fox,  and  they  answered  :  "  The  little  fox 
is  sly  !"  "  The  little  fox  is  a  thief  !"  "  The  little  fox  is  a 
destroyer  !"  He  then  showed  that  little  foxes  could 
enter  vineyards  through  holes  too  small  for  Mr.  Large  Fox 
to  pass  through,  and  compared  their  depredations  to  the 
marring  of  family  peace  through  the  little  sins  of  children, 
which  often  grow  into  great  sins  as  the  years  roll  on  ;  and 
many  who  when  little  deceived  and  disobeyed  their 
parents,  when  men  and  women  have  been  confined  in 
prisons,  while  others  have  died  on  the  gallows.  He  then 
drew  a  picture  of  the  little  flakes  of  snow  that  gradually 
accumulated  into  snow-banks  that  stopped  a  train  all  night, 
while  several  persons  in  the  vicinity  were  frozen  to  death. 
Mr.  Stephens  in  his  different  sermons  to  children  instructed 
them  how  to  sincerely  love  God,  honor  the  Saviour,  and 
faithfully  serve  Him. 


MISSION  AT  ST.   GEORGE'S.  481 


SERVICES    FOR     WOMEN,    CONDUCTED    BY    MRS.   CROUCH. 

Men  were  not  admitted  to  the  special  services  for  women. 
But  from  the  author's  knowledge  of  Mrs.  Crouch's  Chris- 
tian devotion  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  of  her 
shrinking  from  notoriety,  he  requested  a  lady  who  attended 
the  meetings  to  describe  to  him  her  method  of  conducting 
the  services.  Mrs.  Crouch's  meetings  were  opened  by  a 
hymn  from  "  The  Mission  Hymnal."  Earnest  prayer  was 
then  offered  by  Mrs.  Crouch,  and  afterward  a  chapter  was 
read  by  her  and  clearly  explained,  showing  through  whom 
alone  we  have  redemption.  At  the  close  of  her  address, 
which  was  listened  to  by  many  prayerful  women,  an  after- 
meeting  was  held  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  are  desirous 
to  lead  a  more  religious  life,  and  also  for  the  benefit  of 
inquirers  of  the  way  of  salvation.  Such  were  most  earnestly 
prayed  for,  and  also  pleaded  with  by  Mrs.  Crouch  and  Miss 
Parker,  who  assists  her  in  "  her  work."  During  the  twelve 
years  that  Mrs.  Crouch — who  is  the  widow  of  a  Church-of- 
England  clergyman — has  worked  at  Parochial  Missions 
with  Missioner  Aitken,  she  has  been  most  useful.  The 
author  is  deeply  interested  in  the  work  of  Mrs.  Crouch,  be- 
cause she  was  the  faithful  Sunday-school  teacher  of  his 
younger  sister,  and  also  the  comforter  of  his  beloved 
mother,  who  is  now  numbered  with  the  blessed  dead,  "  who 
are  in  joy  and  felicity"  in  Paradise. 


482  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


•       CHAPTER   X. 

THE  MISSION'S  THANKSGIVING  SERVICE  IN  ST.  GEORGE'S  CHURCH. 

Missioner  Aitken  s  Closing  Sermon — All  Jews  not  True  Israel- 
ites—All who  have  been  Baptized  not  Real  Christians— Char- 
acteristics of  the  True  Christian — Onward  and  Upward — 
The  Opposite  Directioii — Some  of  the  Mission 's  Results. 

The  Thanksgiving  service  for  God's  blessing  on  the 
mission  was  held  on  Wednesday  evening,  November  16th, 
1886,  and  St.  George's  capacious  church  was  filled.  After 
the  Thanksgiving  service  Missioner  Aitken  spoke  of  the 
thorough  preparation  for  the  mission  ;  the  co-operation 
of  the  parish  clergy  during  the  mission  ;  thanked  the 
organist  and  his  assistant  for  the  valuable  musical  aid  they 
had  rendered,  and  also  the  voluntary  mission  choir  for 
their  attendance  at  the  continuous  services. 

The  text  of  the  sermon  was  :  "  A  Christian"  (1  Pet.  4  : 
16),  and  specially  addressed  to  those  who,  during  the  mis- 
sion, had  resolved,  by  God's  aid,  to  live  a  Christian  life. 
As  an  aid  to  the  memory,  each  practical  consideration,  which 
he  graphically  amplified,  was  based  on  a  word  beginning 
with  one  of  the  successive  letters  in  the  name  "  Christian." 
The  term  "Jew  "  was  applied  to  every  Jew  ;  but  some 
who  said  they  were  Jews  were  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan, 
and  not  the  children  of  Abraham  ;  for  their  father  was  the 
Devil  and  their  works  Satanic.  The  name  Christian  is 
applied  to  whoever  has  been  baptised.  He  only  is  a  true 
Christian  in  God's  sight  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  has  re- 


THE  MISSION'S  THANKSGIVING  SERVICE.  483 


generated  and  who  is  a  living  Epiphany  of  Christ.      To  aid 

the  memory,  the  first  letter  of  the  name  Christian  should 

remind  you  that  you  should  not  be  distrustful,  but 

dent  that,  by  God's  strength,  you  may  conquer  every 
spiritual  foe  ;  for  He  is  stronger  than  Satan  and  all 
his  hosts.  As  a  whining  Christian  dishonors  the 
Saviour,  you  should  be 

Happy  in  the  Lord  and  rejoice  evermore,  and  not  be  un- 
happy because  unholy,  and,  through  disobedience, 
despondent.  As  the  Christian  should  control  his 
mind  and   be 

Rccollective,  it  will  be  better  to  commune  with  God  than  to 
read  of  divorces,  prize-fights,  and  murders.  Live  in 
a  spirit  of  prayer,  and  remember  God's  mercies.  Also 
be 

Industrious  ;  for  He  will  show  what  work  you  can  do  for  Him 
as  soon  as  you  are  willing  to  do  it.  Instead  of  sigh- 
ing over  what  you  cannot  do,  do  what  you  are  fitted 
for. 

Stability  should  characterize  your  conduct  ;  therefore,  be 
not  like  Demas,  who  loved  this  world,  but  be  stead- 
fast and  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord. 

Teachable.  A  child,  when  first  given  a  block  alphabet,  and 
told  the  first  letter  is  "  A,"  holds  up  the  letter  B, 
and  says  :  "  This  is  '  A,'  and  C  is  '  A.'  "  So  young 
Christians  call  different  letters  of  the  box  of  truth 
"A." 

Instructive.  A  willingness  to  be  taught  will  qualify  you  to 
teach  others.  By  carrying  a  pocket  Testament,  you 
may  gradually  learn  much.  Practise  its  precepts, 
and  you  will  be  an  eminent  instructor. 

Associate  with  God's  children  at  the  Holy  Communion — one 
of  the  bonds  of  Christian  fellowship  ;  also  hold  meet- 


484  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ings  at  each  other's  house  to  study  the  Bible,  and  to 

pray  to  God  and  praise  Him. 
Nothing.      Each  should  say  :   "  I  am  nothing  ;  but  Christ  is 

all  in  all."     When  you  are  empty  of  self  and  sin,  He 

will  fill   you    with   the  fulness  of   His   love,  and   at 

once  use  you  to  promote  His  glory. 
The  missioner  urged  the  young  converts  to  go  forth  with 
a  heart  brave  as  a  lion,  and  not  full  of  misgivings  of  "  what 
might  happen  next  !"  A  young  convert  once  asked  : 
"  What  shall  I  do  with  the  devils  to-morrow  ?"  When  told 
that  "  God  is  stronger  than  Satan  and  all  his  hosts  com- 
bined," he  answered  :  "  I  do  not  mean  the  devils  in  Hell, 
but  the  devils  in  my  workshop  !"  Having  alluded  to  those 
who  make  progress  in  the  wrong  direction,  and  who  are 
not  happy  because  not  holy,  causing  sinners  to  say, 
"  What  a  miserable  affair  religion  must  be!"  he  referred  to 
a  woman  who  became  religious  through  the  happiness  beam- 
ing from  a  joyful  Christian  woman's  face.  When  asked, 
"  What  first  led  you  to  seek  the  Saviour  ?"  the  uneducated 
woman  answered  :  "As  I  sat  looking  at  her,  while  I  was 
as  miserable  as  a  devil,  I  seed  her  face,  shining  like  the 
face  of  an  angel  !" 

THIS    MISSION    ENDS    AS    ST.    PAUL'S    IN    ROME    ENDED. 

Some  believed  and  went  onward  and  upward.  Others 
believed  not,  and  went  in  the  opposite  direction.  Which 
way  will  you  go  ?  Oh,  do  resolve  to  follow  the  example 
of  those  who  believed,  served  God  faithfully,  and  whose 
spirits  are  now  enjoying  blissful  rest  in  Paradise  !  For 
God's  blessing  on  the  mission,  choir  and  congregation 
heartily  sang  :  "  We  Praise  Thee,  O  God,  we  acknowledge 
Thee  to  be  the  Lord." 

The  services  on  Wednesday  were  of  a  joyous  character, 
as  this  day  was  one  of  thanksgiving  for  the  results  of  the 


THE  MI  SSI  OX'S  THANKSGIVING  SERVICE.  485 


mission  work  in  New  York.  Each  of  the  services  of  the 
day  was  followed  by  a  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion. 
So  many  thanksgivings  were  received  from  those  who  had 
received  answers  to  prayer  and  spiritual  blessings  during 
the  mission,  that  time  failed  to  read  them.  A  Sunday- 
school  teacher  thanked  God  for  the  conversion  of  fourteen 
girls  in  her  class  during  the  mission.  Many  other  teachers 
sent  in  thanks  for  similar  mercies — "  for  a  great  work  of 
grace  among  the  young  men  and  boys  of  St.  George's 
school,  who  on  Sunday  last  promised  to  give  themselves  to 
their  Saviour  ;  for  the  conversion  of  sons,  daughters, 
brothers,  and  friends  through  the  influence  of  the  mission  ; 
for  the  bringing  in  of  young  men  of  the  lowest  character 
from  the  streets  ;  for  the  consecration  of  professed  Chris- 
tians to  work  for  Christ."'  Xearly  all  of  these  cases  were 
of  those  who  had  been  individually  prayed  for  during  the 
mission.  In  addition  to  these,  over  two  hundred  names 
were  signed  to  printed  papers,  acknowledging  some  help 
received,  and  specifying  some  line  of  Church  work  in 
which  the  writer  pledged  himself  or  herself  to  engage.  At 
a  meeting  held  by  the  clergy  the  names  were  classified, 
and  all  signers  put  under  instruction,  or  assigned  appro- 
priate work. 

CLOSING    CELEBRATION  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION. 

At  the  morning  administration  one  hundred  and  fifty 
persons  communed,  and  three  hundred  and  fifty  at  the 
evening  celebration.  The  missioner  was  gratified  that, 
included  in  the  results  of  the  mission,  one  hundred  and 
fifty  persons  who  are  willing  to  work  for  Christ  had  sent  in 
their  names  to  the  rector,  who  "  is  clever  in  giving  Chris- 
tians something  to  do,"  as  well  as  earnest  in  teaching  them 
"what  to  believe."  Missioner  and  rector  and  assistant 
clergy  are  thankful  that  many  who  were  blessed  through 


486  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  mission,  like  one  of  the   ten    lepers  whom  Christ  had 
cleansed,  returned  to  give  thanks. 

On  Thursday  afternoon  the  missioner  held  a  meeting 
which  he  called  a  quiet  hour,  and  defined  as  an  after- 
meeting  for  Christians.  The  body  of  the  church  was  filled, 
when  Missioner  Aitken  came  into  the  centre  aisle,  without 
surplice,  and  begged  those  present  to  fall  on  their  knees 
and  pray  that  God  alone  might  speak  to  each  soul.  He 
explained  that  the  results  of  the  mission  are  found  to  be 
more  lasting  on  those  converted  during  its  influences  than 
on  true  believers,  for  the  reason  that  the  sinner  grasped  a 
definite  benefit,  while  the  Christian  was  only  stirred  and 
excited.  On  his  knees,  with  the  congregation,  for  over  an 
hour,  with  the  text,  "  Search  me,  O  God,  and  try  my 
heart,"  often  on  his  lips,  the  missioner  reviewed  all  pos- 
sible failings  of  heart  or  mind  that  could  stand  between  the 
soul  and  its  progress  and  work  in  Christ,  and  urged  the 
giving  up  of  every  hidden  sin  and  idol.  "  If  in  work  for 
God  desire  for  success  has  predominated  over  love  for 
souls  ;  if  as  a  teacher  I  have  cared  for  the  size  and  prosper- 
ity of  my  class,  and  not  for  the  salvation  of  its  members, 
search  me,  O  God,  and  try  my  heart  ;  if  in  any  form  of 
work  I  have  sought  self  and  not  God's  glory,  lead  me  to  see 
it  and  remove  it."'  He  then  spoke  of  worldliness,  selfish- 
ness, idolatry,  and  all  besetting  sins,  urging  each  to  see  his 
own  failing  nailed  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  to  believe  in 
his  complete  redemption  from  the  power  of  habit.  Such 
hymns  as  "  Wash  me  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow," 
and  the  consecration  hymn,  "  Take  my  life  and  let  it  be 
consecrated,  Lord,  to  Thee,"  were  sung  by  the  people  on 
their  knees,  and  the  service  closed  with  a  prayer  that  those 
who  had  united  in  the  mission  services  in  New  York  might 
meet  in  the  land  above,  clothed  in  the  spotless  purity  of 
Christ. 


THE  MISS! OX'S  THANKSGIVING  SERVICE.  487 


Missioner  Stephens  has  much  to  encourage  him  respect- 
ing the  results  of  his  ministrations  to  children  and  Sunday- 
school  teachers.  More  than  half  of  the  members  of  the 
upper  classes  received  definite  blessings,  and  some  of  the 
Sunday-school  teachers  are  greatly  rejoicing.  When  the 
sermon  preached  on  the  ioth  instant  was  ended  about  one 
hundred  of  the  children  who  were  present  remained  to  be 
personally  conversed  with  at  the  after-meeting. 

LETTER    FROM    A    YOUNG    LAY    EVANGELIST. 

New  York,  January  4,  1886. 

Dear  Mr.  Bonham  :  I  take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  that  since  I 
listened  to  the  Rev.  Missioner  Stephens's  sermon  addressed  to  Christian 
workers  and  to  Sunday-school  teachers,  based  on  the  words  of  the  great 
Shepherd's  command,  "  Feed  my  lambs"  (John  21  :  15),  I  have  been 
graciously  enlightened  and  awakened  by  his  soul-stirring  words  concern- 
ing "  child  conversion."  But  as  I  labor  as  a  lay  evangelist,  I  am  grieved 
as  I  remember  the  number  of  young  children  at  my  services  who  pub- 
licly indicated  that  they  desired  to  receive  instruction  how  to  come  to 
the  Saviour  whom  I  have  indifferently  neglected  !  But  through  the  ap- 
peal of  the  missioner  truths  were  impressed  on  my  mind  which  before  I 
had  scarcely  noticed.  Some  time  ago,  among  the  children  who  desired 
instruction  was  a  girl  fourteen  years  of  age,  whom  I  entirely  neglected. 
Thank  God  !  all  is  now  changed.  The  week  after  I  heard  Missioner 
Stephens's  address  respecting  ministerial  duty  to  the  young,  sixteen  per- 
sons resolved  to  accept  the  pardon  and  peace  which  the  Saviour  freely 
offers,  eleven  of  whom  were  children.  Later,  at  other  Gospel  services, 
over  thirty  children  have  had  the  confidence  to  call  Christ  their  own 
Saviour. 

We  have  since  started  a  special  service  for  boys,  and  another  for 
girls  ;  and  a  little  girl  eleven  years  of  age  has  desired  a  service  for  her 
schoolmates.  The  shower  of  blessing  is  increasing  ;  for  on  Sunday  last, 
after  I  saw  you,  nine  children,  ranging  from  the  age  of  six  to  fifteen,  re- 
solved to  love  and  serve  the  Saviour.  .  .  . 

Yours  in  Christ, 


486  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

AFTER    THE    MISSION    IN    ST.    GEORGE'S    CHURCH. 

Sermon  to  Men  Only — The  Widow  of  Nain — Chris f  s  Mandate 
Obeyed — Analogy  between  a  Dead  Body  a?id  a  Dead  Soul — 
"  O  God,  Save  me  for  my  Mother' s  Sake!"  — "  I  Say  unto 
Thee,  Arise  f 

The  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church  labored  unceasingly 
to  make  mission  services  successful.  He  stood  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Broadway  and  Fourteenth  Street  during  the  early 
part  of  the  evening,  and  offered  circulars  inviting  passers- 
by  to  attend  the  services. 

The  text  of  the  sermon  to  men  only  was,  "  Young  man, 
I  say  unto  thee,  arise"  (Luke  14  :  17).  The  introduc- 
tion depicted  the  funeral  procession  in  the  beautiful  city 
of  Nain,  and  the  bereaved  widow's  wail  as  her  son  was 
being  carried  to  be  buried  from  her  sight  ;  how  the  Saviour 
touched  the  bier,  and  the  dead  obeyed  His  voice,  and  He 
who  is  "  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life''  delivered  him  to 
his  mother.  "  Three  times  Christ  proved  His  power  over 
death  :"  (a)  in  the  case  of  the  little  child,  the  centurion's 
daughter  ;  (b)  the  young  man  referred  to  in  the  text  ; 
(c)  Lazarus,  who  had  been  entombed  four  days.  The 
moment  the  Saviour  touched  the  little  damsel's  hand,  she 
opened  her  eyes  ;  to  comfort  the  widow  of  Nain,  He  had 
to  touch  the  bier  and  stop  the  bearers  ;  and,  as  Martha's 
difficulty  was  unbelief,  the  stone  at  the  sepulchre  had  to 
be  removed  before  Lazarus,  in  obedience  to  Christ's  man- 


AFTER   THE  MISSION  IN  ST.   GEORGE  S  CHURCH.    489 


date,  "come  forth,"  alive  and  sound  emerged  from  the 
tomb.  The  preacher  contrasted  the  death  of  the  body  with 
the  sin  dead  soul,  and  said  that  the  difficulties  of  regener- 
ating the  soul  increase  as  life  advances,  and  gave  statistics 
of  what  he  knew  as  a  missioner  to  prove  his  affirmation. 
Though  there  is  room  for  hope,  he  had  seen  but  few  old 
men  converted.  To  rally  from  the  depression  the  facts 
stated  caused,  in  a  cheerful  tone  he  said  :  "  He  who  re- 
stored to  life  the  little  child,  and  the  widow's  son,  and  the 
brother  of  Martha  and  Mary,  is  the  Saviour  of  children,  of 
young  men,  and  men  of  maturity."  After  a  reference  to 
the  brightness  of  this  world  to  the  youthful,  he  asks" :  "  As 
we  grow  older,  how  many  do  we  see  travelling  step  by  step 
down  to  hell  ?  Brothers,  how  many  of  you  are  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins  ?" 

As  he  travelled  as  a  missioner,  from  different  sorrowing 
mothers  he  received  the  requests  :  "  Will  you  pray  for  my 
only  son  ?  He  is  breaking  my  heart."  "  Will  you  pray 
for  my  boy  ?  He  is  a  good  boy,  but  is  not  interested  in 
religion."  Many  pray  :  "  O  God,  help  Aitken  to  save  my 
boy!"  Is  it  a  manly  thing  to  break  a  mother's  heart? 
My  own  dear  mother  is  now  eighty-one  years  of  age.*  To, 
night  she  will  be  pleading  for  this  mission.  She  says  she 
is  too  old  to  go  out  to  work  for  Christ  now,  but  "  I  can 
pray  :  O  God,  bless  the  labors  of  my  boy."  In  Yorkshire, 
England,  a  clergyman  told  him  that  when  his  dear  wife 
was  dying  she  said  to  her  boy  :  "  I  want  you  to  promise 
me  that  you  will  seek  after  God."  He  said  :  "  Mother,  I 
will  ;"  and  she  then  said  :  "  Lord,  now  lettest  Thou  Thy 
servant  depart  in  peace."  After  she  fell  asleep  in  Christ. 
my  son,  true  to  his  promise,    kept  his  word,  but  found  it 

*  Missioner  Aitken's  dear  mother  "fell  asleep  in  Jesus"  at  midnight 
on  Septuagesima  Sunday,  February  21st,  1886. 


490  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED, 


hard  work  to  see  the  light  of  truth.  The  devil  put  the 
thought  into  his  mind  :  "  Go  to  the  public-house  and  drink 
to  drown  thy  misery."  He  reached  the  dram-shop, 
stretched  out  his  hand  to  open  the  door,  when  he  seemed 
to  see  his  mother,  who  said  :  "  My  boy,  remember  your 
promise."  He  returned  to  his  bedroom,  and  prayed  : 
"  O  God,  save  me  ;  for  my  mother's  sake,  save  me  ;  I 
won't  rise  from  my  knees  until  I  rind  Thee!"  Light  in 
Christ  that  very  day  dawned  into  his  soul. 

As  the  youngman  described  in  the  text  was  carried  forth 
to  be  buried,  so  young  men  are  carried  to  death  by  sinful 
companions.  Call  no  one  your  friend  who  is  an  enemy  to 
God.  The  son  of  a  clergyman  in  London  wrote  to  a  com- 
panion that  he  had  resolved  to  live  a  new  life  ;  and  re- 
ceived in  answer  :  "  My  dear  Bailey,  you  have  always  been 
a  jolly  good  fellow  ;  don't  begin  to  be  a  humbug."  Young 
men,  do  pray  :  "  O  Lord,  deliver  me  from  my  baleful  com- 
panions." The  preacher  described  different  young  men 
who  had  ruined  their  bodies  and  paralyzed  their  power  of 
will.  One,  who  was  intemperate,  to  the  question,  "  Why 
do  you  not  forsake  the  fatal  cup?"  answered:  "1  try; 
but  down,  down  I  go.  It's  no  use.  I'm  lost  ;  for  I  have 
no  power  of  will.     Oh,  wretched  man  that  I  am  !" 

Some  of  you  are  on  the  bier  of  moral  death.  Your  pas- 
sions are  the  bearers  carrying  you  to  destruction,  and  you 
need  an  external  power  to  carry  you  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion. He  said  that  an  American  clergyman  when  in  Eng- 
land related  that  a  vessel  had  drifted  into  the  rapids  of 
Niagara  and  was  whirled  past  "  Redemption  Point." 
Crowds  on  the  bank  saw  this,  and  exclaimed  :  "  Good  God  ! 
The  ship  is  lost  !"  The  captain  felt  a  breeze  sweep  past 
his  face  and  cried  :  "  Set  all  the  sails  !"  Now  there  is  a 
battle  between  wind  and  water.  The  water  strives  to  float 
the  ship  in  one  direction,  but  the  wind  propels  her  in  the 


AFTER   THE  MISSION  IN  ST.   GEORGE'S  CHURCH,     l'.'l 

opposite  direction.  Now  she  stops  as  if  anchored.  The 
forces  of  nature  are  balanced.  Now  she  makes  progress, 
and  slowly  sails  into  less  turbulent  waters.  As  she  re- 
passes "  Past  Redemption  Point''  through  the  strong, 
favorable  breeze,  the  shout  ascends  :  "  Thank  God,  she  is 
saved  !"  Your  passions  are  sweeping  you  faster  and  faster 
toward  the  cataract  of  destruction.  Stand  still  !  Your 
fast  life  is  taking  you  to  hell  !  Yet  despair  not.  You  see 
death  before  you.  In  Christ  is  life.  The  widow's  son  was 
dead,  and  was  not  consulted  about  coming  to  life  again  ; 
but  you  have  yet  the  use  of  your  reason.  Men  turn  from 
faith,  and  call  themselves  rationalists  ;  but  thrusting  Christ 
aside  is  most  irrational.  Standing  before  you  is  the  Resur- 
rection and  the  Life.  Thank  God,  you  are  not  yet  lost  for- 
ever !  Obey  Christ's  mandate,  "  Young  man,  I  say  unto 
thee,  arise  !"  and  you  may  become  valiant  in  His  service. 

When  the  preacher  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he  preached 
in  a  market-place  in  Scotland.  Not  long  ago  a  missionary 
in  India  died.  Missioner  Aitken  read  his  biography  ;  and 
for  the  first  time  learned  that,  when  a  medical  student,  he 
heard  one  sentence  of  the  sermon  in  the  Inverness  Market- 
place—viz., "  I  say  unto  thee,  arise  !"  He  prayed,  con- 
fessed his  sins,  said  :  "  Lurd,  I  give  myself  to  Thee,"  and 
in  due  time  went  as  a  missionary  to  the  heathen,  and  bade 
them  "Arise."  The  preacher  urged  the  unsaved  among 
the  men  of  different  ages  present  to  say  :  "  I  will  arise,  and 
be  a  slave  of  sin  and  hell  no  longer."  The  sermon  was 
exegetical,  logical,  pictorial  ;  and  he  not  only  explained, 
reasoned,  and  described,  but  also  appealed  from  the  depths 
of  his  soul,  and  stirred  the  hearts  of  many.  Many  remained 
for  the  after-meeting.  The  missioner,  Rector,  and  assistant 
clergy  conversed  with  the  inquirers.  The  Holy  Spirit  was 
present,  and  as  soul  after  soul  was  quickened  into  life, 
the  celestial  choirs  circled  round  God's  throne,  rejoicing. 


492  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

MISSIONER    AITKEN's   LAST    SERMON    TO    MEN    ONLY. 

The  Last  Sermon  to  Men  Only — "  Will  ye  also  go  away  f ' — Oppo- 
site Forces — Christ  the  Divine  Centre —  The  Science  of  Skep- 
tics—  The  Brain  Phosphate  of  Lime —  The  Eccentric  Cornish 
Evangelist — The  Final  After-meeting. 

Friday  evening,  December  18th,  the  body  and  galleries  of 
St.  George's  Church  were  filled  ;  and  as  tne  Rector  had  sent 
personal  invitations  to  members  of  several  of  the  influential 
clubs  in  the  city,  a  number  of  them  were  probably  among 
the  large  congregation.  The  preacher's  text  was  John 
6  :  67.  He  depicted  the  "  Man  of  Sorrows"  in  the  saddest 
episode  of  His  history  ;  as  the  hours  roll  on  the  crowd  who 
had  surrounded  Him  are  gradually  scattering  ;  and  He 
stands  and  looks  at  Peter  and  the  other  disciples,  saying  : 
"  Will  ye  also  go  away  ?' '  Through  the  long  ages  of  Church 
history  this  question  has  been  practically  repeated  again  and 
again.  Christ's  Gospel  still  attracts.  Are  you  going  to 
yield  to  Him  ?  Is  He  to  smile  on  you  as  He  smiled  on  Peter, 
who  said  :  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go  ?  Thou  hast  the 
words  of  eternal  life  V  Are  you  going  back  to  your  sins 
and  back  to  moral  death  ?  Whoever  has  not  Christ  for  his 
centre  is  a  wandering  star,  and  under  an  evil  influence  that 
will  drive  him  farther  and  farther  from  Christ  and  the  cycle 
of  love  to  the  cycle  of  hatred. 

An  ancient  philosopher  taught  that  there  was  a  centrif- 
ugal force  drawing  toward  unity  every  particle  of  matter  ; 


MISSIONED  A 1 1  KEN'S  LA  S  T  SERMON  TO  ME  .  V.       198 

and  that  all  the  forms  of  beauty  was  the  result.  But  under 
the  cycle  of  hate  there  was  a  centripetal  force  ;  and  the 
universe  began  to  lose  its  beauty  by  asserting  the  indi- 
viduality of  the  separate  parts.  Have  we  not  the  love  law 
leading  to  beauty  and  harmony  ?  Also  the  law  of  antip- 
athy, resulting  in  confusion  and  anarchy  ?  Under  the 
law  of  love,  of  which  God  is  the  centre,  and  Christ  its 
Representative,  we  are  each  influenced,  or  under  the  influ- 
ence of  Apollyon.  Christ  shows  the  Father's  loving  heart 
in  our  sorrows  ;  and  blessed  are  they  whom  He  is  alluring 
upward  nearer  and  nearer  to  God.  Do  some  of  you  know 
that  your  back  and  not  your  face  is  toward  God  ?  Sin  has 
broken  the  harmony  between  your' soul  and  God  ;  induced 
anarchy  in  your  nature,  so  that  your  animal  nature  dictates 
to  your  spiritual  nature.  Being  disintegrated,  you  are 
going  to  pieces,  for  the  elements  of  your  lower  nature  are 
not  rulers.  The  world  consists  of  those  who  are  drawing 
nearer  and  nearer  to  Christ,  and  of  those  who  are  drawing 
farther  away  from  Him.  Some  of  each' class  are  now 
before  me. 

11  Christ  is  the  centre  of  the  world  before  whom  are  two 
crowds.  The  one  grasping  His  hand  of  love,"  the  other 
slipping  away  from  His  presence.  It  is  not  His  determina- 
tion to  grant  to  the  latter  everlasting  life  to  make  them 
forever  His  own.  Why  weep  for  the  blessed  dead  in  Christ 
who  are  drawn  higher  and  nearer  to  the  Divine  centre  ? 
Weep  for  the  man  who,  by  the  opposite  force,  is  drifting 
away,  a  wandering  star,  farther  and  farther  from  the  light 
and  centre  of  love  down  into  darkness  ;  weep  for  him. 
How  was  it  that  the  multitude  alluded  to  in  the  text  acted 
so  strangely,  and  departed  from  the  presence  of  Christ, 
while  so  few  remained  near  Him  ?  Peter's  answer  lets  us 
into  the  secret  :  "To  whom  shall  we  go  ?  Thou  hast  the 
words  of  eternal  life."     He  was  conscious  of  a  desire  after 


494  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


the  infinite,  a  yearning  for  something  this  world  cannot 
give.  A  man  in  England  said  to  an  eccentric  preacher  : 
"  Now,  Uncle  Billy,  I  will  show  you  my  beautiful  garden." 
But  he  answered  :  "It  is  very  pretty  ;  you  planted  it 
nicely,  but  I  suppose  you  will  have  to  leave  it?"  "Oh 
no,"  he  says  ;  "  I  intend  to  stay  here  !"  Billy  answers  : 
11  But  you  will  have  to  leave  it  some  day  ;  '  it  is  appointed 
unto  man  once  to  die.'  "  Mr.  Quail  replied  :  "  Yes,  that's 
the  devil  of  it."  The  preacher  referred  to  was  doubtless 
the  original,  but  eminently  useful  Cornish  evangelist, 
called  "  Billy  Bray." 

"  He  that  believeth  in  Me  shall  never  die,"  was  Christ's 
answer  to  Peter,  who  had  said  :  "  Thou  hast  the  words  of 
eternal  life."  Peter  was  true  to  the  instincts  of  his  nature. 
The  multitude  who  went  away  from  Christ  were  false  to 
the  true  yearnings  of  man's  soul.  As  nature  does  not 
chain  an  eagle,  is  nature  kind  to  a  bird  but  cruel  to  a  man  ? 
There  is  no  harmony  between  the  spirit  of  man  and  his 
present  environment  ;  and  when  true  to  his  heart,  his  head 
won't  go  wrong.  "  The  mission  is  about  to  close,  and  I 
seem  to  behold  the  Saviour  passing  down  the  aisle,  asking, 
1  Will  ye  also  go  away  ?  '  Ye,  over  whom  your  mother 
shed  so  many  tears,  will  ye  also  go  away  ?  You  who  have 
been  moved  by  the  Gospel,  and  are  about  to  kneel  and 
pray,  '  God  be  merciful  to  me,'  there  is  but  one  step  be- 
tween you  and  eternal  life,  and  you  are  almost  ready  to 
say,  '  'Tis  mine  !  '  '  Will  you  also  go  away  ? '  To  whom 
or  to  what  will  you  g~»— to  philosophy  or  to  science? 
Science  asks  :  '  Don't  you  know  that  you  are  only  carbon 
and  ammonia,  and  your  brain  only  phosphate  of  lime  ?  ' 
Can  science  give  me  any  comfort  ?  Yes,  you  will  be  dis- 
solved and  help  the  elements  ;  but  the  species  will  continue. 
Science  does  not  believe  in  your  soul's  immortality,  but 
has  strong  faith  in  the  immortality  of  the  species.     If  you 


Af/SSIONER  AITKEITS  LAST  SERMON  TO  MKX. 

have  resolved  to  turn  away  from  Christ,  will  you  go  back 
to  the  world  ?  Why  return  to  what  has  deceived  you  ? 
Some  of  you  have  spent  your  lifetime  dropping  buckets  of 
your  heart's  yearnings  into  empty  wells,  but  drawing 
nothing  up  that  could  satisfy  your  soul's  true  longings. 
You  who  have  lived  a  life  of  sinful  pleasure,  will  you  turn 
away  from  Christ  and  go  away  to  again  wallow  in  the  old 
moral  filth  ?" 

The  preacher  now  offers  ejaculatory  prayer,  saying  : 
"  Thou,  O  Christ,  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life  ;  speak 
now  with  power  to  our  hearts,  that  we  may  live  now  and 
forever  in  Thee."  Now,  he  says,  (a)  some  of  you  will  go 
back  to  the  battle  of  life  ;  (b)  others  to  trials  and  disap- 
pointed affection,  etc.;  (c)  before  the  morning  dawns  over 
some  the  shadow  of  death  may  hover  ;  (a)  sooner  or  later 
each  must  enter  the  chamber  of  death.  When  about  to  die, 
and  you  feel  death's  chill,  and  his  shadow  rests  upon  you, 
to  whom  will  you  go  then  ?  (e)  When  at  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ,  and  your  sins  are  sinking  you  down  to  the 
silence  of  despair,  to  whom  will  you  then  go  ?  When  the 
judgment  sentence,  "  Depart,"  is  uttered,  and  through  the 
sins  of  your  own  free  choice  you  are  hurled  into  the  chilling 
regions  of  gloom,  and  the  second  death  will  cling  to  you, 
to  whom  will  you  then  go  ?  To  escape  the  wages  of  sin, 
let  us  each  now  come  to  meet  Him  who  is  the  source  of 
life  eternal. 

THE    FINAL    AFTER-MEETING. 

A  very  large  number  of  the  congregation  have  remained. 
The  missioner  says  :  "  Let  us  kneel,  and  say  together, 
1  Just  as  I  am,'  etc  ,  '  O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come.' 

"  You  think  that  the  verse  is  right,  but  say,  '  If  I  were 
only  a  little  different,  I  would  come  ;  '  but  this  means 
'  Just  as  I  am  not  !  '     If  you  sincerely  say,  '  Just  as  I  am, 


496  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

I  come,'  all  the  guilt  upon  your  conscience  is  included. 
Another  says,  '  My  heart  is  so  hard  I  can't  weep.'  This 
means  '  As  I  am  not  ;  I  will  come  the  next  time.'  Kneeling 
here  will  not  soften  your  heart  at  any  time.  Another 
says  :  '  I  haven't  repented  enough,  and  I  am  not  half  peni- 
tent enough  to  come  to  Christ  now  ;  '  but  '  just  as  you  are,' 
if  you  come  to  Him  He  will  receive  you.  Another  says  : 
'  I  have  not  the  right  kind  of  faith  ;  '  but  on  this  account 
come  '  just  as  you  are  '  to-night.''  Now  he  requests  them 
to  say  the  verse  over  again,  and  a  number  in  subdued  tones 
do  so.  While  another  hymn  is  softly  sung,  the  devoted 
Missioner  quietly  passes  from  pew  to  pew,  uttering  words 
of  consolation  or  instruction,  and  occasionally  kneeling  by 
the  side  of  an  anxious  soul,  whispering  near  his  ear  a  brief 
prayer  to  God  for  the  specific  blessing  needed.  While  the 
author  is  taking  notes,  Missioner  Aitken  silently  approaches 
him,  shakes  his  hand,  says  :  "  Good-by,"  passes  from  the 
robing-room  to  the  rectory,  soon  enters  a  carriage,  and  is 
driven  to  the  depot  to  take  the  night  train  for  Boston,  to 
preach  in  Trinity  Church  on  Sunday.  The  inquiry-meet- 
ing was  continued  for  a  little  while  after  we  saw  his  face 
no  more. 


ST.   GEORGE'S  MISSION  IN  AVENUE  A.  407 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

ST.    GEORGE'S    MISSION    IN    AVENUE    A. 

A  Beer  Saloon  Secured — Gospel  Services  Therein — A  Sunday^ 
School  Opened — A  Discharged  Prisoner — The  Bishop  of 
London  Surprised —  The  Premier  and  the  Crossing  Sweeper. 

Last  August  brought  to  a  focus  many  long-considered 
plans  for  evangelizing  the  large  numbers  of  people  living 
in  the  near  neighborhood  of  St.  George's  Church,  whom 
all  efforts  had  failed  to  attract  to  the  regular  Church  ser- 
vices. A  visitor  said  :  "  Their  need  of  the  Gospel  of  Life 
and  Light  was  plainly  evident  :  the  houses  fairly  bursting 
with  occupants  who  appeared  at  every  window  and  over- 
flowed into  the  dirty  streets  ;  the  children  swarming 
together  amid  the  unwholesome  rubbish  scattered  every- 
where ;  on  every  side  profanity  and  indecency.  A  search 
was  made  for  a  small  room  where  services  could  be  held, 
and  Jefferson  Hall,  253  Avenue  A,  was  found  and  engaged. 
It  was  a  hall  of  bad  reputation,  frequented  often  by  people 
of  the  lowest  character,  a  dance  hall  and  a  place  of  rendez- 
vous for  socialistic  clubs. 

"  On  Sunday,  August  31st,  the  first  service  was  held. 
A  congregation  composed  mostly  of  children  and  young 
boys  assembled.  The  entrance  to  the  hall  was  through  a 
beer  saloon,  where  men  were  drinking,  smoking,  and  play- 
ing cards  and  pool.  The  singing  attracted  the  occupants 
of  the  saloon,  and  many  of  them  entered  and  joined  in  it. 


L 


498  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Disorder  was  of  course  the  rule  at  this  and  subsequent  ser- 
vices for  some  time.  Many  came  to  ridicule  and  blas- 
pheme ;  others  came  to  '  make  a  good  thing  out  of  it,'  and 
told  many  moving  tales  of  distress  ;  others  came  from  curi- 
osity, from  love  of  singing,  or  because  they  had  nothing 
else  to  do.  Still,  they  came,  and  regardless  of  disorder 
and  interruptions  (which  gradually  decreased),  the  services 
were  steadily  continued,  and  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
was  constantly  invoked,  and  His  aid  was  bountifully  ex- 
tended. 

"  In  October  the  whole  building  was  leased  until  1887, 
the  saloon-keeper  having  previously  given  up  his  business 
and  retired.  Nothing  now  remains  to  indicate  its  former 
use  and  character.  The  lower  floor  is  wholly  given  up  to 
schemes  for  improving  the  minds  and  souls  of  men.  Every 
Sunday  afternoon  at  four  o'clock,  and  every  evening  at 
eight,  evangelistic  services  are  held. 

"  The  Sunday-school  was  opened  in  November,  chiefly 
with  the  object  of  keeping  small  boys  from  the  mission 
service.  On  no  condition  would  they  agree  to  this  exclu- 
sion until  they  secured  a  promise  of  a  service  all  to  them- 
selves, and  Sunday  after  Sunday  they  crowded  round  the 
workers  going  to  the  mission,  with  the  eager  appeal, 
'When  will  our  service  begin?'  At  first  the  school  was 
of  the  wildest  character.  There  are  at  present  fourteen 
classes,  and  the  school  numbers  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five,  but  the  average  attendance  is  not  more  than 
eighty,  many  of  the  children  having  been  actually  forbid- 
den to  come  by  their  parents  and  priests  ;  but  their  proxim- 
ity to  and  constant  association  with  the  inhabitants  of  the 
worst  quarters  of  the  city  make  the  work  among  them 
seem,  at  first  sight,  almost  hopeless,  as  the  children  have 
practically  no  means  of  raising  themselves,  being  so  ter- 
ribly handicapped  by  their  surroundings.     It  is  impossible 


ST.   GEORGE'S  MISSION  IN  AVENUE  A.  499 


to  treat  or  teach  these  children  as  if  they  had  been  blessed 
with  refined  homes  and   training. 

11  The  reading-room  was  opened  as  one  step  toward  solv- 
ing the  problem  of  how  to  keep  hold  of  those  who  regularly 
attend  the  mission  services.  The  two  Gospel  services  on 
Tuesday  and  Thursday  are  plainly  insufficient  to  meet  the 
necessities  of  the  case.  The  men  must  have  a  place  of 
refuge  from  the  evil  influences  of  the  bar-room  and  the 
street  corner,  and  experience  has  shown  that  they  are  ready 
to  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege  which  the  Mission  Hall 
thus  affords  every  Friday  night." 

The  author  was  present  at  the  afternoon  service  on  the 
last  Sunday  in  February,  1886.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  de- 
livered a  touching  address  on  "  Christ  Weeping  over  Jeru- 
salem." Among  the  speakers  who  followed,  one  was  a 
fine-looking  man  about  sixty-five  years  of  age,  who  said  he 
had  spent  two  thirds  of  his  lifetime  in  prison.  He  implored 
the  prayers  of  the  people  that  God,  who  had  saved  him, 
would  keep  him  from  falling.  The  people  were  deeply 
moved  as  he  told  how  he  was  beset  by  temptations  and 
struggled  hard  against  them.  The  Rev.  Lindsay  Parker 
said  that  what  they  saw  and  heard  proved  that  God  the 
Holy  Ghost  was  present. 

The  Rector  of  St.  George's  does  not  attempt  to  do  all 
the  parish  work  unaided.  With  the  Bishop  of  Bedford,  he 
believes  that  the  man  or  woman  who  undertakes  to  do 
something  for  a  cause  becomes  at  once  a  zealous  and  inter- 
ested adherent. 

Many  years  ago  the  Bishop  of  London  received  with  as- 
tonishment the  offer  of  an  officer  in  the  "  Royal  Guards" 
to  undertake  some  work  for  the  Church.  His  successors 
are  now  aided  by  the  volunteer  services  of  several  thou- 
sand devoted  laymen  and  large  numbers  of  "  self-denying 
women."  Dr.   Theodore  L.   Cuyler,  in  his  address  to  the 


500  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Yale  students  on  "  The  Day  of  Prayer  for  Colleges,"  said  : 
"  With  my  own  eyes  I  have  seen  Mr.  Gladstone  kneel  side 
by  side  with  a  common  street-sweeper,  and  pray  for  the 
salvation  of  his  soul.  I  know  of  no  grander  sight  than  the 
Premier  of  England,  the  leading  statesman  of  the  world, 
pouring  forth  his  eloquent  appeal  to  God  in  behalf  of  his 
humble  brother."  The  Rector  of  St.  George's  instructs 
his  people  that  Christians  who  sincerely  believe  the  Creed 
have  corresponding  work  to  do,  and  he  earnestly  exhorts  : 
'''  Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren,  be  ye  steadfast,  unmova- 
ble,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch 
as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  1I0L  Y  TRINITY.  501 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    TRINITY. 

The  People  Familiar  with  Mission  Work — The  Rev.  W.  F. 
Wat  kins,  D.D.—The  Rev.  K.  Mackenzie— The  Rev.  E. 
Walpole  Warren,  M.A. — His  Style  of  Preaching — The  Re- 
lation of  Striking  Incidents — A  Wealthy  Lady  Saved — A 
Spendthrift  Converted — A  Liquor  Merchant  Penitent. 

The  people  connected  with  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity  are  not  strangers  to  mission  services  ;  for,  a  few 
years  ago,  a  mission  commenced  therein,  to  last  but  a 
week,  by  reason  of  the  increasing  interest  was  continued 
during  four  weeks,  and  was  then  ended  only  by  the 
Rector  and  Missioner  being  too  worn  longer  to  continue 
its  arduous  but  pleasant  services.  Shortly  after  the  mis- 
sion was  closed  one  hundred  and  six  persons,  who  had 
been  carefully  instructed  by  the  Rector,  were  confirmed 
by  Bishop  Potter.*  Mr.  K.  Mackenzie,  who  took  active 
part  as  a  lay-worker  at  the  mission,  has  since  been  ordained 
Presbyter,  and  is  now  the  efficient  and  esteemed  assistant 
of  the  present  Rector,  the  Rev.  W.  F.  Watkins,  D.D.,  who, 
so  far  as  practicable,  has  conducted  again  and  again  a 
series  of  evangelistic  services.  He  is  to  be  congratulated 
for  having  secured  the  services  of  the  Rev.  E.  Walpole 
Warren,  M.A.,  with  whom  the  author  became  acquainted 

*  See  Part  III.,  Ch.  IX.,  page  209. 


502  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


at  a  general  mission  held  at  Luton,  Bedfordshire,  in  Eng- 
land.* He  is  now  the  Vicar  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  Lambeth,  London. 

In  addition  to  the  staff  of  mission  clergy,  who  are  free 
from  parochial  duties,  and  devote  their  whole  time  in  doing 
the  work  of  evangelists,  a  number  of  the  Rectors  and 
Vicars  of  parishes  occasionally  conduct  missions  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  England,  and  their  curates  take  charge  of  all 
parochial  duties  during  their  absence.  Through  such  an 
arrangement,  the  Vicar  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
Lambeth,  London,  was  enabled  to  cross  the  ocean  to  con- 
duct the  mission  in  the  church  in  New  York  bearing  the 
same  name. 

The  subject  of  his  sermon  Sunday,  November  29th,  was  : 
"  The  Wondrous  Transformation  of  Character  and  of  Pros- 
pects through  Relationship  to  Christ,"  based  on  the  text  : 
M  Therefore,  if  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  is  a  new 
creature  ;  old  things  are  passed  away  ;  behold,  all  things 
are  become  new"  (2  Cor.  5  :  17).  The  preacher  said  :  "  I 
am  not  astonished  that  most  men  do  not  care  for  the  religion 
of  the  day,  that  rationalists  and  sceptics  abound.  If  such 
a  religion  was  all  I  knew,  I  myself  would  give  it  up." 
He  set  forth  that  the  sort  of  religion  that  sinks  deep  into 
the  heart  and  changes  the  character,  not  frequently  seen, 
put  into  the  colorless  species  of  religion  in  the  head,  crys- 
tallizes into  belief  of  definite  expectation.  He  did  not 
believe  in  a  religion  which  depended  on  excitement  for  its 
existence  ;  and  if  he  could  not  touch  the  hearts  of  the 
people  by  the  truths  he  designed  to  present,  without  imag- 
inative flights  or  oratorical  exciting  expedients,  and  by 
plain  argument  and  biblical  and  common-sense  facts,  then 
his  mission  here  would  be  a  failure.     The   statements  of 

*  See  Part  IV.,  Ch.  XVIII.,  page  339- 


A/zss/o.v  tn  the  church  of  the  iioi.  v  trinity.  r,<  3 


the  Bible  are  emphatic,  and  in  sermons  should  not  be  too 
critically  analyzed,  but  uttered  as  inspired  truths.  Creat- 
ures, he  said,  must  be  measured  by  their  divine  works, 
and  the  preacher  must  live  up  to  his  preaching  ;  for,  while 
he  may  preach  like  an  angel,  if  he  is  not  a  good  man  he  is 
inspired  by  the  devil  rather  than  God.  Creatures  must  be 
measured  by  their  divine  works  ;  and  if  any  man  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,  he  is  a  new  creature.  This  truth  he  intended 
to  amplify  in  other  sermons  upon  the  subject  during  the 
week,  but  asked,  Who  can  say,  "  I  shall  see  the  end  of  this 
week  of  prayer"  ?  With  the  rapidity  with  which  the  Vice- 
President  was  stricken  down  by  paralysis,  any  one  of  us 
may  be  taken  from  this  world.  Happy  is  he  or  she  who  is 
assured  of  a  new  creatureship  in  Christ  !  Are  you  one  of 
them?  There  is  a  home  above  for  you  ;  is  it  yours?  There 
is  an  everlasting  life  ;  shall  you  have  it  ? 

The  Missioner  in  the  afternoon  made  an  address  to  men 
only,  which  was  of  a  solemn  and  heart-searching  charac- 
ter. He  preached  another  sermon  in  the  evening,  and  the 
congregation,  as  in  the  morning,  filled  the  capacious  church. 

A    WEEK-DAY    MISSION    SERVICE. 

A  description  of  one  of  the  week-night  services  is  a  speci- 
men of  the  others.  On  Monday  evening  Missioner  War- 
ren preached  on  the  text  :  "  Son,  be  of  good  cheer  :  thy 
sins  be  forgiven  thee"  (Matt.  9  :  2).  As  soon  as  the 
preacher  had  announced  and  read  his  text  he  exclaimed, 
in  a  tone  of  wonder  :  "  '  Three  hundred  guineas  !'  said  a 
patient  to  his  physician,  'for  a  ten  minutes'  visit?'  But 
the  physician  calmly  answered  :  '  In  that  ten  minutes,  to 
restore  your  health,  I  gave  you  the  accumulated  experience 
of  my  lifetime  !  '  But  my  text  is  a  prescription  from  Him 
who  studied  to  save  you  from  eternity  !  And  He  did  not 
give   it  to  you  in  Latin,  nor   its  quantity   in   mysterious 


504  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

hieroglyphics,  but  in  language  which  is  so  plain  that  all 
may  understand  its  nature  and  its  measure.  It  is  for  you 
man,  and  you  women,  so  short  that  you  cannot  forget  it, 
and  the  remedy  prescribed  so  certain  that,  when  used,  it 
never  fails  to  cure/'  In  view  of  this,  he  inquired,  in  a  tone 
of  surprise  :  "  Is  it  not  sad  that  Christ  was  the  last  physician 
applied  to  by  the  palsied  man,  who  was  in  his  city,  and 
who  must  have  heard  of  His  matchless  healing  power  ? 
So  now,  if  you  tell  a  sick  man  of  a  patent  medicine  which, 
it  is  asserted,  will  quickly  heal,  he  will  readily  listen  ;  but 
if  you  tell  him  of  the  soul-healing  power  of  Christ,  who  is 
the  soul's  infallible  Physician,  he  will  instantly  turn  away  ! 
Had  the  friends  of  the  helpless  paralytic  brought  him  to 
Jesus  at  the  first,  he  would  have  been  instantly  healed." 
Now,  in  familiar  tone,  he  asks  :  "  Are  you  not  conscious, 
many  of  you,  that  you  have  lived  a  very  useless  life  ?  Of 
what  use  have  you  been  to  the  Almighty  God  ?  You  have 
worked  hard  ;  but  what  have  you  done  to  promote  God's 
glory  ?  Would  not  a  true  answer  be  :  '  For  all  that  Thou 
hast  given  me,  I  have  offered  a  worthless  life  to  Thee  ? ' 

"When  you  made  a  good  resolution  did  you  not  im- 
mediately break  it  ?  You  make  promises  to  a  man,  and 
as  a  man  of  honor  keep  them.  But  enter  your  Fifth 
Avenue  mansion,  and  answer  :  '  Have  you  kept  your  bap- 
tismal promise  that  you  would  "  renounce  the  world  "  '? 
To  be  cured  of  your  moral  paralysis,  you  have  tried  spir- 
itual galvanism."  One  man  told  him  he  had  taken  to 
drinking,  and  another  to  sensuality,  and  when  each  was 
asked  for  what  reason,  each  answered  :  "  In  order  to  rid 
myself  of  my  soul's  loneliness  and  restlessness."  But  one 
found  that  drink  brought  delirium  !  The  other,  that 
profligacy  led  to  suicide,  and  suicide  was  falling  down 
to  hell  !  In  a  further  colloquy  he  says  :  "  Do  you 
ask  : 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOL  Y  TRINITY.  506 

'  WHAT  IS  THE  REMEDY   FOR  MORAL  PARALYSIS  ?  ' 

"Visit  Calvary,  and  behold  the  blood  that  will  cleanse 
the  hands  that  have  taken  up  books  that  lead  to  sin,  and 
purify  the  feet  that  have  walked  to  places  of  forbidden 
pleasures  !  See  the  pure  water  from  the  Saviour's  broken 
heart,  that  will  cleanse  your  own  heartache,  also  the  heart- 
ache you  have  caused  in  others,  and  can  cleanse  the  sins  of 
all  sinners."  Now,  in  an  appealing  tone,  he  says  :  "  To  be 
wholly  healed  of  moral  paralysis,  oh,  come  ye  all  to  Him 
who  purchased  what  would  heal  you  at  the  cost  of  His 
own  sacrificial  death." 

The  preacher's  "  Instruction"  set  forth  that  the  Divine 
Physician's  miracles  in  healing  physical  maladies  are  illus- 
trations of  His  ability  to  cure  and  save  the  soul,  and  that 
Christ,  with  His  hand  of  mercy,  first  made  a  picture  of  His 
power  on  man's  body,  and  then  as  a  letter-press  stamped 
the  same  on  the  healed  man's  soul.  Looking  downward, 
and  with  his  forefinger  pointing,  as  if  the  miserable  para- 
lytic were  on  the  platform  before  him,  the  preacher  de- 
scribed him  as  continuing  helpless  after  Christ  said  : 
"  Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee,"  because  he  continued  an  un- 
believer ;  but  as  soon  as  he  hears  the  mandate,  "  Arise  and 
walk  !"  the  muscles  of  his  back  and  limbs  and  hands  and 
feet  all  receive  strength,  and  he  instantly  arises,  takes  up 
his  couch,  and  walks  !  And  as  the  beholders  are  amazed, 
the  Great  Healer  says  :  "  That  ye  may  know  that  I  can 
heal  the  palsied  soul,  I  said  to  the  palsied  man,  '  Arise  and 
walk  !  '  " 

"Young  man!"  exclaimed  the  missioner,  "you  have 
committed  sin  until  it  is  now  a  habit.  You  say  :  '  Could 
I  believe  that  my  sins  are  all  forgiven,  this  would  give  me 
energy  to  begin  anew  life.'  Woman,  daughter,  you  know 
your  sins,  and  say  :  '  If  I  could  only  believe  the  text,  I 
would  start  in  life  afresh.'      But  you  say  you    can't,  and 


. 


506  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

can't  means  won't.  Daughter  !  Christ's  words,  '  Thy  sins 
be  forgiven  thee,'  are  spoken  to  you  ;  therefore  say  :  '  I 
will  believe  this  moment  that  He  forgives  my  sins,  will 
despair  no  more,  but  now  arise,  and  by  His  aid  henceforth 
live  a  truly  womanly  and  higher  life.'  "  The  preacher  in 
a  quaint  tone  repeats  his  context,  "  I  say  unto  thee,  arise  !" 
and  inquires,  "  Who  is  I  ?"  "  Christ."  "  To  whom  does 
He  speak  ?"  "  He  speaks  to  thee,  saying  :  '  Thy  sins 
are  forgiven  thee.'  '  "  But  when  ?"  "  Now  !"  M  Take 
up  thy  bed."  "  What  does  this  mean  ?"  "  The  sins  that 
have  carried  you,  that  bad  temper  which  you  have  lain 
upon  and  that  has  carried  you  as  helpless." 

"young  man,  what  is  thy  master?" 

The  sin  that  besets  you,  the  evil  habit  which  carries  you  ! 
Take  it  up  as  the  paralytic  took  up  his  couch  and  threw  it 
behind  his  back.  "  Who  is  that  jubilant  man  going  down 
the  street  with  elastic  step  ?"  The  man  to  whom  Christ 
said  :  "  Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee  !  Arise,  and  walk  !" 
To  encourage  sinners  to  believe  and  be  saved,  the  preacher 
cited  the  cases  of  men  who  for  forty  years  had  never  gone 
to  bed  sober,  never  entered  a  church,  who  had  come  to  a 
mission  service;  and,  though  old  sinners  are  the  more 
awful  to  contemplate,  they  learned  that  Christ  could  de- 
liver from  sin's  bondage.  The  Saviour  died  to  help  you 
to  be  an  upright  image  of  God  ;  for  His  Gospel  is  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation  to  whosoever  believeth.  Go  down 
to  Wall  Street  and  learn  the  amount  of  power  requisite  to 
lift  up  men  from  the  power  of  Mammon  !  There  is  but 
one  power  left  able  to  lift  you  from  a  golden  idol  to  the 
image  of  God  ;  for  wife,  children,  friendship,  cannot  do 
this.  Dear  sisters,  is  the  life  some  of  you  lead  worthy  of 
a  soul  made  for  God,  and  that  only  God  can  save  and  fill 
with  His  presence  ?     Next  he  explained  the  import  of 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOL  V  TRINITY.  507 

k"  GO  TO  THY  HOUSE," 
nd  showed  (a)  the  house  is  the  place  wheie  the  new  life 
my  be  best  known,  that  all  may  see  its  fruits  ;  {b  go 
nome  and  begin  family  prayer  to-night,  though  it  may  be 
hard  to  do  so  at  first  ;  (c)  if  you  keep  servants,  kindly  tell 
them  to  be  God's  servants  ;  for,  though  they  serve  you, 
you  do  not  own  them.  To  do  all  this  will  require  the 
power  of  God.  He  said  that,  when  conducting  a  mission, 
and  a  convert  says,  "  I  want  to  be  at  once  a  teacher  in  the 
Sunday-school  or  a  district  visitor,"  I  tell  him,  "  First, 
go  to  thy  home  ;  and  if  I  find  you  do  your  duty  there,  I 
will  then  give  you  work  to  do  in  the  Master's  vineyard." 
Did  any  person  mentally  say  :  "  This  is  excitement,  senti- 
ment" ?  Is  it  sentimental  to  go  home,  take  your  Bible, 
begin  family  prayer,  and  in  thy  home  on  earth  prepare  for 
the  home  above,  and  to-morrow  conduct  your  business  on 
anew  commercial  principle?  After  the  hymn,  "Just  as 
I  am,"  he  most  effectually  laid  upon  his  hearers  the 
responsibility  of  the  acceptance  or  rejection  of  their  sal- 
vation. 

Missioners  believe  the  maxim  of  ancient  rhetoricians 
that,  while  solid  arguments  are  the  fabric  of  a  sermon, 
illustrations  are  the  windows  that  let  in  the  light.  Many 
who  cannot  see  the  Saviour  when  held  up  by  dogma,  can 
see  Him  aided  by  the  light  that  beams  from  the  Gospel  in 
Christian  action.  People's  tastes  differ,  as  do  their  feat- 
ures, and  also  their  appetites  ;  and  so  the  different  modes 
of  preaching  during  the  mission  met  the  tastes  of  different 
kinds  of  hearers.  Though  the  Rector  or  the  Missioner 
who  illustrates  his  sermons  by  relating  incidents  is  called 
by  some  "  a  story-teller,"  yet  the  logic  contained  in  illus- 
trations is  often  more  convincing  than  when  dryly  stated 
in  propositions  "  major  or  minor"  or  in  "  the  argument 
a  priori"  or  "  a  posteriori." 


508  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

STRIKING    INCIDENTS    RELATED. 

Missioner  Warren  stated  that  a  few  years  ap-o  a  worldly- 
minded  lady  wTas  induced  to  attend  a  mission  service  in  a 
parish  in  England.  While  the  Missioner  was  preaching 
the  Holy  Spirit  made  a  part  of  the  sermon  an  arrow  of 
conviction  that  pierced  her  vanity-loving  heart.  After  she 
returned  to  her  elegant  home  she  grew  more  and  more 
uncomfortable.  Her  restlessness  of  soul  soon  affected  her 
strength  ;  soon  she  became  very  weak,  and  sent  for  her 
physician.  He  told  her  that  "  a  change  of  scene  was  desir- 
able," and  advised  her  "  to  remove  to  London."  As  her 
personal  income  was  equivalent  to  about  $400,000  per 
annum,  there  was  no  financial  hindrance  in  the  way  of 
immediate  compliance  with  her  doctor's  prescription,  and 
speedily  as  possible  her  agent  secured  for  her  a  fine  resi- 
dence in  London.  But  she  found  herself  as  unhappy  there 
as  she  had  been  at  the  attractive  country  home  she  had 
closed.  Change  of  place  changed  not  her  spirit  turmoil 
into  restfulness.  The  most  costly  medicine  her  physician 
could  prescribe,  and  the  most  scientific  chemist  was  able 
to  compound,  though  faithfully  taken  just  as  prescribed, 
effected  for  her  no  improving  signs  of  change.  In  order 
to  change  the  current  of  her  thoughts  and  forget  the  ser- 
mon that  had  made  her  so  unhappy,  she  attended  balls  and 
parties  during  London's  fashionable  season.  When  she 
had  no  invitations  she  gave  balls  and  held  receptions  and 
parties  in  her  own  mansion.  When  they  were  discontinued 
her  restlessness  remained,  and  so'  she  went  to  different 
theatres.  As  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  the  arrow  of 
conviction  still  rankled  in  her  heart,  she  left  London  and 
returned  to  her  country-seat  more  wretched  than  when  she 
had  left  it. 

As  her  physician  could  do  nothing  to  relieve  her,  in  ac- 
cord with  his  advice  she  closed  her  home  again,  and  instead 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  I/O/.  Y  TRINITY.    508 

of  coming  to  Christ  for  rest  she  went  to  the  Continent  ! 
Though  able  to  live  luxuriously,  and  attended  by  her  train 
of  servants,  as  she  grew  worse  instead  of  better  she  became 
more  alarmed.  As  it  was  the  sermon  she  had  heard  at  the 
mission  referred  to  that  made  her  so  wretched,  she  resolved 
to  send  an  invitation  to  the  Missioner  who  had  preached  it 
to  leave  England,  if  practicable,  and  as  speedily  as  possible. 
As  soon  as  he  arrived  he  hastened  to  the  mansion,  and 
was  shown  by  her  butler  into  the  drawing-room.  And  the 
instant  that  she  saw  him,  she  said  in  a  plaintive  wail  :  "  Oh, 
sir,  I  will  give  you  half  my  fortune  if  you  can  give  me 
peace  !"  He  replied  :  "  I  do  not  want  your  money,  and  I 
cannot  give  you  peace,  but  can  tell  you  of  the  Saviour  who 
says,  '  Come  unto  Me,  and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  '  He  told 
her  of  the  love  of  God  as  revealed  by  His  Son,  who  had 
shed  His  precious  blood  to  save  her,  and  who  was  willing 
to  calm  the  turmoil  of  her  spirit  as  He  had  calmed  the 
tempestuous  sea  of  Galilee. 

She  kneels  down  and  prays  to  God  for  peace.  He  hears 
her  beseeching  prayer,  and  speedily  answers.  The  barbed 
arrow  departs  from  her  long  troubled  heart,  and  peace  fills 
her  soul.  She  rises  from  her  attitude  of  prayer  with  her 
tears  dried,  her  face  serene,  and  her  eyes  bright  and  joyful. 
Her  heart  was  changed  and  her  affection  transferred  from 
the  vanities  of  earth  to  undying  pleasures  above,  and  of 
which  she  now  had  a  foretaste.  Her  changed  heart  led 
her  to  change  her  style  of  dress  and  mode  of  living.  She 
consecrated  herself  and  all  she  possessed  to  promote  the 
glory  of  her  loving  Saviour.  Rest  in  Christ  restored  her 
to  health  ;  and  now,  like  Christ,  she  regards  the  poor,  the 
needy,  and  the  helpless.  Her  feet  walk  on  errands  of 
mercy,  and  she  ascends  the  rickety  stairs,  and  goes  from 
room  to  room,  her  hands  dispensing  blessings  and  her  words 
comforting  the  disconsolate.     Her  fortune  is  now  liberally 


510  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

used  in  various  ways  to  spread   the  story,  the  old  yet  ever 
new  story,  "  of  Jesus  and  His  love."     Now  she  can  sing  : 

"  From  men  great  skill  professing, 
I  sought  a  cure  to  gain  ; 
But  this  proved  more  distressing, 
And  added  to  my  pain. 

'  Some  said  that  nothing  ailed  me  ; 
Some  gave  me  up  as  lost. 
Thus  every  refuge  failed  me, 
And  all  my  hopes  were  cross'd. 

'  At  length  this  Great  Physician — 
How  matchless  is  His  grace  ! — 
Gave  ear  to  my  petition, 
And  undertook  my  case. 

"  First  gave  me  sight  to  view  Him  ; 
For  sin  mine  eyes  had  seal'd  ; 
He  bade  me  look  unto  Him — 
I  looked,  and  I  was  healed  !" 

A    PROFLIGATE    SPENDTHRIFT    SAVED. 

Missioner  Warren  related  that  six  years  ago,  at  a  mission 
service  held  in  a  church  built  in  the  twelfth  century,  in  the 
ancient  city  of  York,  while  he  was  preaching  he  was  much 
impressed  by  two  men  who  were  near  one  of  its  massive  pil- 
lars. One  of  them  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  clothed 
in  Her  Majesty's  uniform  ;  the  other,  a  much  smaller  man, 
about  his  own  size.  On  the  following  morning,  while  at 
breakfast,  the  tall  one  called  to  see  him,  and  said  :  "  Is  what 
you  said  in  your  sermon  true — '  Thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee  '  ?  " 
When  assured  it  was  true,  he  answered  :  "  You  do  not  know 
me,  and  I  will  tell  my  story  ;  for  I  was  not  always  what 
you  now  see  me.  I  am  a  University  graduate,  and  when 
my  father  died  he  left  me  an  income  of  five  thousand 
pounds  per  annum.     Soon  I  attended  the  race-course,  and 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOI,  Y  TRINITY.  511 

became  a  gambler.  I  soon  wasted  my  fortune  and  became 
a  blackguard,  which  broke  my  loving  mother's  heart.  I 
spunged  on  my  sisters,  until  I  lett  them  but  a  miserable  pit- 
tance of  their  fortunes.  Now,  had  you  known  this  when  I 
heard  you  preach,  would  you  have  said  :  '  There  is  forgive- 
ness for  me  ? '  "  "  Yes,''  replied  the  Missioner  ;  "  though 
your  sins  are  as  scarlet  the  Saviour's  blood  can  make  them 
whiter  than  snow."  The  man  at  once  knelt  down  and 
prayed  for  pardon.  "  Believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  He  will 
save  you,"  said  the  Missioner.  The  man  believed,  experi- 
enced peace,  lived  a  new  life  ;  and  the  soldier  of  the  army 
of  Victoria  is  now  a  soldier  of  Immanuel,  attired  in  Gospel 
armor,  and  spreads  the  glad  news  that  "  whosoever  shall 
call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved  !" 

A    LIQUOR    MERCHANT    TRULY    PENITENT. 

The  smaller  man  whom  the  Missioner  saw  near  a  pillar  of 
the  ancient  church  kept  a  "  spirit  palace."  Through  the 
influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  resolved  to  give  it  up  ;  but 
if  he  carried  out  his  resolution  his  wealthy  father  declared 
that  he  would  henceforth  cease  to  give  him  his  allowance 
of  four  hundred  pounds  per  annum.  But  he  preferred  the 
riches  he  had  found  in  Christ,  who  had  saved  him,  to  any 
amount  of  earthly  wealth  ;  and  he  knew  that  if  his  earthly 
father  discarded  him.  his  Heavenly  Father  would  never 
forsake  him.  He  carried  his  resolution  to  retire  from  the 
liquor  business  into  practice.  God  stood  by  him,  and 
directed  his  steps.  Ultimately  he  went  to  college  ;  after- 
ward studied  for  the  ministry,  and  in  due  time  he  was 
ordained.  Last  year  the  Archbishop  of  York  presented  to 
him  "a  living" — viz.,  the  ancient  church  in  the  city  of 
York,  in  which  Missioner  Warren  had  preached  that  "  Christ 
is  a  sin-forgiving  Saviour,  and  would  save  him."  Saved 
himself,  he  now  rejoices  to  preach  salvation  to  the  citizens, 


512  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


among  whom  are  some  who  were  his  patrons  when  he  kept 
"  the  wine  and  spirit  vaults."  Respecting  Missioner  War- 
ren's subjects,  the  Rev.  K.  Mackenzie  says  : 

"  His  exegesis  of  the  Bible  is  unique,  yet  full  of  reverence 
and  pointed  application.  The  life  of  Moses  is  employed  to 
illustrate  the  Christian's  decision  for  God  in  the  face  of  the 
allurements  of  the  world  ;  that  of  Abraham,  constancy  in 
faith  through  all  the  trials  of  life.  The  impotent  man  at 
the  Pool  of  Bethesda  represents  the  helpless  sinner  waiting 
for  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  In  this  especial  sermon  Mr. 
Warren  displayed  a  power  of  description  which  fairly  car- 
ried the  great  congregation  back  to  the  life  and  experiences 
of  this  unknown  man.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that, 
while  simple  as  a  child,  the  preacher  sways  his  hearers  as 
does  the  great  ocean  the  ship  that  rests  on  its  bosom.  .  .  . 
The  services  were  attended  by  a  large  number  of  persons, 
who  heard  very  practicable  and  profitable  sermons.  The 
congregations  daily  increased,  and  the  feeling  of  the  people 
at  times  was  so  intense  that  the  great  assemblies  broke  up 
with  a  silence  that  was  almost  oppressive."  For  a  sketch 
of  Mr.  Warren  as  an  orator,  see  Part  V.,  Chapter  XXXII. , 
of  "  The  Church  Revived." 


Af/SS/O.Y  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOL  Y  SPIRIT.     513 


CHAPTER   XV. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 

The  New  Church  —  The  Chantry  and  Rectory — The  Surpliced 
Choir — The  Missioner— Services  for  Women  Only — "Young 
Harry  Free  man." 

The  growing  influence  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
since  its  removal  to  Madison  Avenue  is  highly  gratifying. 
The  Rector,  the  Rev.  E.  Guilbert,  D.D.,  through  the 
departure  of  his  devoted  wife  to  Paradise,  was  sorely 
bereaved  ;  but  the  financial  prosperity  of  the  parish  and 
the  increasing  congregations  greatly  cheer  him.  The 
Church  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  an  illustration  of  the  results 
of  the  faith  and  works  of  the  Rector,  who  has  already 
gained  the  affections  of  large  numbers  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  vicinity.  The  new  church  was  opened  in  1881,  and 
the  new  chantry  and  the  rectory  add  to  its  interior  and 
exterior  attraction. 

The  chantry  between  the  church  and  rectory  is  found 
to  be  of  great  convenience  for  holding  meetings  and 
furthering  the  manifold  work  in  which  the  parish  is  en- 
gaged. It  consists  of  a  little  room  at  the  north-east  corner 
and  also  of  a  row  of  pews  on  the  north  side  of  the  church, 
all  of  which  may  be  shut  off  from  the  main  building,  or  be 
made  a  part  of  it,  by  means  of  large  windows  set  with 
cathedral  glass.  Adjoining  the  chantry,  on  the  north,  is 
the   rectorv.      The  material,  like  that  of   the   church   and 


514  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

chantry,  is  of  stone.  The  cost  of  all  these  buildings,  in- 
cluding land,  is  $225,000,  and  that  of  the  rectory  $45,000. 

The  Sunday  congregations  are  large.  The  Sunday- 
school  numbers  about  four  hundred  scholars.  The  parish 
carries  on  various  departments  of  Church  work,  in  the  way 
of  sewing  societies,  mission  work,  etc.  Both  Rector  and 
congregation  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  fact  that  an 
enterprise  so  new  is  also  so  singularly  successful. 

As  the  author  was  present  when  the  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter, 
D.D.,  preached  the  opening  sermon,  later,  took  charge  of 
the  services  during  the  Rector's  absence  after  his  bereave- 
ment, and  was  also  present  when  the  surpliced  choristers 
made  their  first  appearance  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  he  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of 
the  parish. 

The  Rector  desired  a  mission  in  his  church,  and  expected 
an  English  Missioner  to  conduct  it  ;  but  a  short  time  before 
the  New  York  Advent  Mission  commenced  the  clergyman 
expected  wrote,  "that  he  could  not  come."  Through  the 
assistance  of  Mr.  Thomas  Whittaker,  at  the  last  moment, 
the  Rev.  S.  W.  Young,  A.M.,  T.C.D.,  was  secured  as  the 
Missioner. 

The  scheme  of  services  was  as  follows  :  an  early  cele- 
bration of  the  Holy  Communion  at  eight  o'clock  each 
morning  ;  a  forenoon  service,  with  address  on  the  Christian 
life  ;  an  afternoon  meeting  for  the  young,  conducted  by  the 
Missioner,  alternating  with  one  for  women  by  Mrs.  Bot- 
tome  ;  and  the  main  mission  service  at  eight  o'clock  p.m. 
Though  good  singers  prefer  to  have  their  music  notes 
before  them,  the  mission  addresses  were  all  spoken  without 
notes,  and  aimed  to  be  quietly  earnest  and  practical. 
Beginning  wilh  the  devotional  study  of  the  Holy  Script- 
ures as  an  aid  to  the  Christian  life,  the  morning  topics 
were  :  u  Except  your  righteousness  shall  exceed  the  right- 


MISSION  IN  THE  Clfl'RCH  OF  THE  HOL  V  SPIRIT.     515 


eousness  of  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  ye  shall  in  no  case 
enter  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven,"  showing  why,  what,  and 
how  Christians  must  do  more  than  others. 

To  the  young  the  topics  were,  "  Give  me  thine  heart" 
and  the  "  hidden  life."  Mrs.  Bottome's  meetings  attracted 
a  very  large  number  of  the  women  of  the  church,  and 
her  heart-stirring  addresses  were  at  once  practical  and 
profitable.  At  the  evening  mission  services  the  subjects 
Avere  Christ's  advent  ;  the  entry  into  Jerusalem  ;  Christ's 
cure  of  paralysis  ;  the  reception  of  penitent  sinners  ;  the 
business  of  the  Father  which  must  be  done  ;  and  the  last 
judgment,  which  shall  pronounce  how  it  has  been  done. 
Messrs.  Rainsford  and  Parker  Morgan  spoke  on  the  closing 
of  the  Apostle's  mouth  by  the  unrepentant  Jews  and  the 
invitation  of  the  Spirit  and  the  Bride. 

The  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  although 
not  widely  advertised  and  but  little  commented  on  outside, 
produced  a  quiet  effect,  which  promises  to  be  lasting,  and 
convinced  a  people  not  prejudiced  in  its  favor  that  the 
"mission"  was  not  only  in  thorough  harmony  with  the 
spirit  of  their  Church,  but  was  indeed  only  the  carrying  out 
of  the  Church's  own  most  ancient  idea  of  the  great  revival 
season  of  Advent.  The  Rector  and  his  people  entered  on 
the  mission  after  some  hesitation  and  with,  perhaps,  some 
slight  doubt  as  to  the  results  ;  but  at  the  close  of  the  mis- 
sion the  congregation,  which  had  steadily  grown,  and 
whose  earnestness  and  interest  had  continually  deepened, 
felt  that  it  had  been  good  for  them  to  have  been  there, 
and  were  thoroughly  converted  to  "  the  mission  idea." 

On  Saturday  evening  the  mission  came  to  an  end,  with 
a  stirring  address  to  workers  in  the  Sunday-school,  de- 
livered by  Mr.  Ralph  Wells.  The  result  of  the  mission  is 
a  perceptible  quickening  of  the  spiritual  life  in  many  of 
those    who    have   attended   it.      The  great   truths   of   the 


516  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Gospel  have  been  reasserted  with  emphasis,  and,  if  nothing 
else  has  been  accomplished,  the  mission  has  shown  that  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  is  still  steadfast  to  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints. 

The  Missioner,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College, 
Dublin,  is  a  thoughtful  and  impressive  speaker,  and 
wherever  he  officiates  his  labors  are  highly  appreciated. 
The  author  learned  this  from  those  who,  Sunday  after  Sun- 
day, were  benefited  through  his  instructive  and  fervent 
ministrations  at  Larchmont  Manor,  N.  Y.  The  mission 
sermons  reasserted  with  emphasis  the  old  Gospel  of  Christ, 
which  is  "  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one 
that  believeth."  The  Rector  co-operated  with  his  Mis- 
sioner. The  Rev.  H.  Freeman,  his  assistant,  when  "  Young 
Harry  Freeman/'  was  the  youthful  but  faithful  worker 
at  the  "  boys'  inquiry  meetings,"  held  after  the  earnest 
sermons  by  the  Evangelist  Moody  in  the  Madison  Square 
Garden,  during  the  successive  weeks  that  he  faithfully 
preached  the  Gospel  therein  to  so  many  thousands  of 
deeply  interested  people. 


THE  MISSION  IN  ZION  CHURCH,  ETC.  517 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

THE    MISSION    IN    ZION    CHURCH    AND    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE 
INCARNATION. 

The  Mission  Preachers — The  Rev.  R.  B.  Ransford,  of  Lon- 
don— The  Rev.  H.  Carmichael,  of  Canada — The  Spurned 
Festival — Threatenings  Fulfilled— u  It  is  Now  too  Late  !  " 

As  Zion  Church  and  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation  are 
not  located  far  from  each  other,  the  Rectors,  Drs.  Brooks 
and  Tiffany,  resolved  to  hold  a  united  mission  of  the  two 
parishes.  The  Missioners  were  the  Rev.  R.  B.  Ransford, 
of  London,  England,  and  Missioner  Carmichael,  of  Hamil- 
ton, Canada.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Carmichael  is  an  impressive 
speaker  and  efficient  Missioner.  Missioner  Ransford  as  an 
orator  is  described  in  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  V., 
Chapter  XXXII.  The  evening  the  author  was  at  the 
Church  of  the  Incarnation  Missioner  Ransford  preached 
a  faithful  sermon  based  on  the  text,  "  None  of  those  who 
were  bidden  shall  taste  of  my  supper"  (Luke  14  :  16). 
After  a  general  exposition  of  the  parable  of  the  great 
feast,  he  said  that  he  had  read  this  parable  hundreds 
of  times  before  he  was  specially  struck  concerning  the 
great  change  that  had  come  over  the  master  of  the  festival, 
and  proceeded  to  consider,  first,  the  cause  of  that  change. 
He  showed  (a)  that  he  was  at  one  time  all  kindness,  and 
specified  the  proofs  ;  and  (b)  depicted  how  he  was  enraged 
at  the  way  in  which  those  invited  to  the  feast  had  insulted 
his  dignity  by  making  excuses  for  not  accepting  the  invita- 


518  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

tion.  He  pointed  out  the  distinction  between  an  excuse 
and  a  reason,  which  he  illustrated  by  a  reference  to  the 
Jews  who  clamored  before  Pontius  Pilate  to  sign  the  death- 
warrant  legalizing  the  crucifixion  of  the  Saviour.  Their 
excuse  was  a  false  pretence  of  loyalty  to  Caesar,  and  that 
Christ  had  spoken  against  him.  Their  real  reason  was 
because  they  hated  Christ. 

The  preacher  set  forth,  second,  that  the  parable  has  a 
heavenly  meaning,  and  (a)  described  the  love  of  God  to 
all  mankind,  who  desires  to  do  infinitely  more  than  the 
most  loving  father  could  do  for  his  children,  or  the  most 
benevolent  king  could  desire  for  the  welfare  of  his  subjects  ; 
and  (/>>)  showed  that  the  love  and  patience  of  the  Heavenly 
Father,  who  is  King  of  kings,  can  be  insulted  and  out- 
raged. He  said  that  the  excuses  which  men  make  for 
refusing  the  Gospel  invitations  are  flimsy  inventions,  not 
true  reasons,  and  that  the  God  of  love  cannot  stand  a  mean 
excuse.  Alluding  to  a  lady  who  had  sent  word  to  a  lady 
down-stairs  who  much  desired  to  see  her  concerning  a  mat- 
ter of  great  importance — viz.,  "  Tell  her,  were  it  a  matter 
of  life  and  death,  no  ;  not  if  the  Queen  of  England  herself 
invited  me" — this,  he  said,  illustrates  the  attitude  of  many 
who  reject  the  invitations  of  the  Saviour  to  His  Gospel-fes- 
tival ;  and  if  the  greatest  commandment  is  to  supremely 
love  God,  not  to  thus  love  Him  is  the  greatest  of  all  sin. 
You  cannot  love  your  families  and  friends  too  much  if 
you  give  God  the  first  place  in  your  soul's  affection  ;  for 
true  love  to  man  would  serve  to  inflame  true  love  toward 
God. 

In  plaintive  tone  the  preacher  said  he  sometimes  desired 
the  sympathy  of  his  hearers  ;  for  at  times  he  felt  burdened 
in  view  of  his  responsibility  that  he  had  undertaken  a  mis- 
sion ;  yet  he  always  deemed  it  a  privilege  to  stand  up  in  his 
Saviour's  name  and  announce  God's  free  mercy,  and  say 


THE  MISSION  IX  ZION  CHURCH,  ETC.  519 


to  sinners  :  "  All  things  are  ready  ;  come  to  God's  festival 
of  love  !"  After  a  hymn  was  sung-,  the  preacher  gave  the 
instruction  designed  to  answer  the  solemn  question  : 

WILL    THOSE    WHO    DIE    IMPENITENT    EVER    BE    SAVED? 

He  considered  this  solemn  question  with  tenderness  of 
language  and  tone  of  utterance  ;  and,  respecting  those 
who  mete  out  judgment  to  poor  sinners,  he  referred  to  the 
Saviour's  answer  to  those  who  considered  others  very  great 
sinners,  saying  :  "  Think  not  that  those  on  whom  the  tower 
of  Siloam  fell  were  sinners  above  all  others  ;  for,  except 
ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish."  He  then  impres- 
sively declared  that  God,  who  is  faithful  in  fulfilling  His 
threatenings,  also  faithfully  fulfils  His  promises  ;  and, 
while  we  can  never  fathom  the  depths  of  His  infinite  love, 
yet  from  Christ  Himself  we  learn  that  a  time  may  come 
when  those  who  wilfully  reject  Him  may  desire  to  enter 
the  Gospel  banquet  hall,  and  learn  that  it  may  be  "too 
late  !  too  late  !" 

PAST     THREATENINGS    FULFILLED. 

The  Missioner  referred  to  the  fact  that  God  fulfilled  His 
threatening  to  our  first  parents  who  were  expelled  from 
Paradise,  and,  when  they  saw  the  murdered  Abel,  they 
knew  that  through  sin  death  reigned.  Much  could  be 
said  against  God's  threatening  to  destroy  the  guilty  ante- 
diluvians ;  but  the  Deluge  drowned  them,  and  His  word 
was  fulfilled.  Esau  desired  to  regain  the  birthright  he 
had  sold  for  a  mess  of  pottage  ;  but  though  he  repented 
of  his  foolish  bargain  with  honest  tears,  yet  he  could  not 
recover  it.  Christ  wTept  over  the  city  of  Jerusalem  be- 
cause the  Jews  had  rejected  Him  ;  yet  His  threatening  that 
the  Gentiles  should  tread  down  Jerusalem  was  fulfilled. 
That  it  may  not  be  too  late  with  any  before  Him,  he  as- 


520  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

sured  them  that  "  now  is  God's  acceptable  time  ;  behold, 
now  is  the  day  of  salvation  !" 

The  solemn  instruction  was  closed  by  the  preacher  sol- 
emnly saying  :  "  In  years  to  come,  looking  back  to  a  cer- 
tain night  when  you  did  hear  of  a  loving  and  sin-forgiving 
Saviour,  but  deliberately  and  wilfully  rejected  His  offer 
then  to  forgive  all  your  sin,  and  pardon  all  your  iniquity, 
as  those  who  prayed  to  be  excused  from  accepting  the  in- 
vitation to  the  feast  when  the  Master  said,  '  Come  ;  for  all 
things  are  ready  ;'  because  '  they  would  not,'  they  provoked 
Him  to  say,  '  Not  one  of  them  shall  taste  of  My  supper, '  the 
time  may  come  when  you  may  say  :  *  It  is  now  too  late.'  " 
During  the  whole  of  the  imperfectly  described  solemn  ser- 
mon the  people  listened  with  the  most  devout  attention, 
and  many  were  doubtless  deeply  impressed  concerning  the 
great  risk  and  danger  of  deferring  present  duty. 

Hasten,  sinner,  to  be  wise, 

Stay  not  for  the  morrow's  sun  ; 
Wisdom  if  you  still  despise, 

Harder  is  she  to  be  won. 


THE  CHAPEL  OF  THE  RECONCILIATION.  52] 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHAPEL    OF    THE    RECONCILIATION. 

The  Rev.  Campbell  Fair,  D.D.,  Missioner,  the  Rev.  N.  Per- 
kins, Minister — The  Services  well  Attended — Sudden  Conver- 
sions—  The  Missioner  and  Pastor  Encouraged. 

ORDER   OF   SERVICES   AND   SUBJECT    OF  SERMONS. 

Saturday,  28th  Nov.,  1885. 

8:00  P.M.  Opening  Service — Reception  of  Missioner.  Subject  of  Ad- 
dress :  "  The  Four  Classes  Solemnly  Involved  in  this  Mis- 
sion :  the  Pastor,  the  Missioner,  the  Congregation,  the 
Outside  Masses." 

First  Sunday  in  Advent,  29TH  Nov. 

7:30A.M.     Holy    Communion.       Subject:    1st   on    "Cries   from     the 
Cross" — "Father,  Forgive  Them." 
10:00  A.M.     Sunday-school.     Subject:  "  Power  of  the  Sunday-school." 
11:00  A.M.     Morning  Prayer  and  Holy  Communion.  Subjects  :  "Awake," 

11  Cast  off,"  "Put  on." 
2:30  P.M.     Church  Society  of  Children.   Subject:  "A  Child's  Influence." 
4:00  P.M.     Young  Women's  Bible   Class.      Subject:   "A   Girl's    Influ- 
ence." 
5:00  P.M.     For  Men  Only.     Subject:     "  A  Man's  Influence  and  Man's 

Sins." 
8:00  P.M.     Mission  Service.       Subject :  "  He  Brought  Him  to  Jesus." 
9:15  P.M.     After-meeting. 

Monday  (St.  Andrew's  Day),  30TH  Nov. 

6:30  A.M.  Holy  Communion.  Subject  :  "  To-day,  with  Me,  in  Para- 
dise." 


522  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


10:30  A.M.     For  Women.     Subject  :  "  Fruits  of  the  Spirit." 
3:30  P.M.      For  Children.   Subject:   Lectures  on  the  Church  Catechism, 

First  Division  :  "  The  Christian  Covenant." 
8:00  P.M.     Mission  Service.   Subject :  "A  Woman  who  was  a  Sinner." 
9:15  P.M.     After-Meeting. 

Tuesday,  ist  Dec. 

6:30  A.M.     Holy  Communion. 

10:00  A.M.     For  Women.     Subject:  "  Fruits  of  the  Spirit." 
3:30  P.M.      For    Children.      Subject:  Second    Division    of   the    Church 

Catechism  :   "  The  Christian's  Faith." 
8:00  P.M.     Mission.     "  Dost  Thou  Believe  on  the  Son  of  God  ?" 
9:15  P.M.     After-meeting. 

Wednesday,  2d  Dec. 

6:30  A.M.     Service.     Subject:    "Behold  thy  Mother,  Behold  thy  Son." 
7:00  A.M.     Holy  Communion. 
10:00  A.M.      For  Women.      Subject:  "  A  Virtuous  Woman"  (Prov.  31). 
3:30  P.M.     For   Children.       Subject:  Third    Division    of    the    Church 

Catechism  :  "The  Christian's  Obedience." 
8:00  P.M.     Mission    Service.       "The     Fool     hath     said,     No     God" 

(Ps.  14  :  1). 
9:10  P.M.     After-meeting. 

Thursday,  3D  Dec. 

6:30  A.M.      Service.      Subject:  "  My  God  .   .  .   forsaken  me." 
10:30  A.M.      For  Women.      Subject:  "Lydia."     Holy  Communion. 
3:30P.M.     For    Children.      Subject:    Fourth    Division    of   the    Church 

Catechism  :   "The  Christian's  Prayer." 
8:00  P.M.     Mission  Service.     Subject:  "The  Holy  Spirit  Convicting, 

Converting,  Teaching,  Guiding." 
9:00  P.M.     After-meeting. 

Friday,  4TH  Dec. 

6:30  A.M.      Holy  Communion.      Subject:   "  I  Thirst." 
10:30  A.M.      For  Women.      Subject:   "Dorcas." 
3:30  P.M.     For    Children.      Subject:    Fifth    Division     of    the    Church 
Catechism  :   "  The  Christian's  Sacraments." 


THE  ClIATEL  OF  THE  RECONCILIATION. 


8:00  P.M.  Mission  Service.  Subject:  (Acts  2  :  37):  "The  Great 
Charge  :  Sudden,  Expressive,  Practical,  Feasible,  Per- 
manent." 

9:15  P.M.     After-meeting. 

Saturday,  sth  Dec. 

6:30  A.M.     Holy  Communion.      Subject:  "  It  is  Finished." 
9:00  A.M.     Examination  of  Children  in  the  Church  Catechism. 
11:00  A.M.     Industrial  School.      Subject:  "Worth." 

Second  Sunday  in  Advent,  6th  Dec. 

7:30  A.M.     Holy  Communion.     Subject:  "  Father,  unto  Thy  Hands  I 

commend  my  Spirit." 
10:00  A.M.     Sunday-school.      Subject:  "  Ever  Caring." 
11:00  A.M.     Morning  Prayer.     Subject:  "How    to  Behave    Thyself  in 

the  House  of  God." 
2:30P.M.     Confirmation  Address.     Subject:  "Confirmation." 
3:30P.M.     Young    Girls'     Bible    Class.       Subject:     "The      Suffering 

Saviour." 
5:00  P.M.     Men  Only.     Subject:  "  A  Good  Man,  a  Kind  Man,  a  Man 

of  Convictions,  a  Saved  Man." 
7:45P.M.     Mission     Service — Thanksgiving.       Subject:    "Grow      in 

Grace." 
9"oo  P.M.     Holy  Communion. 

Tuesday,  8th  Dec. 

8:00  P.M.  Service.  Subject  :  "  Always  Abounding  in  the  Work  of  the 
Lord  /"  an  Appeal  for  Workers. 

During  the  mission  the  Pastor  and  Missioner  visited  the  sick  and 
special  cases,  etc. 

In  one  of  the  Missioner's  able  sermons  he  emphasized 
the  division  respecting  "  sudden  conversions."  If  a  person 
whom  the  Holy  Spirit  has  convicted  of  his  sinfulness  and 
guilt  at  one  of  the  after-meetings  had  asked  him,  "  What 
must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? ' '  had  he  replied  :  "  Very  gradually 
cease  from  sinning,"  the  anxious  one  might  have  further 
asked  him  :   "  If  a  sudden  conversion  is  unreliable,  should 


521  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

I  die  during  the  process  of  gradually  turning  from  Satan 
toward  God,  before  the  circuit  is  completed,  whither  will 
my  spirit  go,  and  on  which  side  of  the  Judge  shall  I  be 
placed,  when  the  Archangel's  trump  shall  sound,  '  Come  to 
Judgment'?"  To  show  the  importance  of  immediately 
obeying  God's  command — "  Turn  ye,  for  why  will  ye  die" — 
Missioner  Fair  depicted  the  sudden  conversion  of  three 
thousand  souis  under  Peter's  sermon  on  the  Day  of  Pente- 
cost, who  were  mockers  when  he  commenced  his  sermon, 
but  penitents  before  he  had  finished  it.  They  believed 
what  the  preacher  said,  that  "  Whosoever  shall  call  on  the 
name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved."  When  ?  Now  !  They 
were  suddenly  convicted  and  converted  ;  and,  on  the  same 
day,  were  baptized  as  the  symbol  that  God  had  forgiven 
all  their  sins  and  'received  them  the  instant  they  turned 
unto  Him. 

In  view  of  this  the  Missioner  asked  :  "If  so  sudden  a 
change  was  then  made,  why  not  now  ?" 

Answering  his  own  question,  he  said  :  "  The  change  can 
be  just  as  sudden  and  just  as  real  now  ;  '  repentance 
delayed  is  mercy  trifled  with.'  " 

Large  congregations  were  present  at  the  mission  in  the 
Church  of  the  Reconciliation,  and  the  results  are  gratifying 
to  both  Dr.  Fair  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins,  the  minister 
in  charge  of  its  multiform  Gospel  agencies. 

The  Rev.  Campbell  Fair,  D.D.,  is  a  zealous  Churchman 
and  an  earnest  worker.  In  New  Orleans  he  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  successful  labors  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
As  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  Baltimore,  Md., 
he  has  proved  himself  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ  and  the 
Church  ;  as  the  earnest  Missioner  at  the  Chapel  of  the  Rec- 
onciliation he  will  be  long  remembered.  Through  God's 
blessing,  all  of  the  Gospel  seed  sown  during  the  mission 
will  not  perish  through  worldly  or  satanic   neutralizations. 


THE  CHAPEL  OF  THE  RECONCILIATION. 

Some  will  bring  forth  good  fruit  to  the  praise  and  glory  of 
Him  in  whose  name  the  mission  was  held,  and  who  says  : 
11  My  word  shall  not  return  unto  Me  void,  but  shall  ac- 
complish that  whereunto  I  sent  it." 


526  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    REDEEMER. 

The  Rev.  Father  Benson — Father  Grafton — The  Brotherhood 
Not  Easily  Discouraged — Large  Congregations  at  the  Church 
of  the  Redeemer —  The  Missioner's  Earnestness. 

Had  the  Bostonians  not  taken  fright  at  the  costume  of 
the  Rev.  Father  Benson,  head  of  the  Cowley  Fathers, 
because  he  appeared  in  the  attire  of  the  order,  -years  ago 
the  mission  flame  would  have  brightly  shone  in  the  Athens 
of  America.  The  Brotherhood  love  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  desire  to  incite  more  religious  life  in  her 
daughter  in  the  United  States.  They  are  not  easily  dis- 
couraged, and  believe  in  final  perseverance,  though  not  of 
the  Calvinistic  type.  Some  of  them  were  wealthy,  but  they 
consecrated  their  wealth  and  time  and  talents  to  be  instru- 
ments of  God  in  reviving  His  slumbering  Church.  The 
chalice  used  at  the  Holy  Communion  service  in  the  chapel 
of  the  House  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist.  Cowley,  Oxford, 
is  enriched  by  some  of  the  jewels  of  Father  Benson's 
ancestors.  The  Fathers  who  were  poor  and  those  who  were 
rich  have  "  all  things  in  common."  And  when  a  Rector  or 
Vicar  or  Incumbent  desires  one  of  the  Cowley  Fathers  to 
conduct  a  mission,  he  expects  to  be  repaid  his  travelling 
expenses,  but  no  personal  compensation.  When  a  brother 
is  overworked  or  otherwise  indisposed,  he  is  cared  for  at  an 
institution  near  the  sea-shore.  The  minds  of  the  Brother- 
hood are  not  anxious  respecting  "food  ;"   but  they  claim 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  REDEEMER,     527 


the  privilege  of  wearing  "  raiment"  of  the  fashion  of  their 
order. 

FATHERS  OF    THE  SOCIETY  OF  ST.  JOHN  THE  EVANGELIST 

since  the  year  187 1  have  held  several  retreats  and  preached 
a  number  of  missions  in  parishes  in  America.  At  the  mis- 
sion in  St.  Clement's,  Philadelphia,  in  1874,  the  church 
was  crowded.  The  influence  of  the  services  was  very- 
great  and  inquirers  were  numerous.  Father  Maturin  and 
Father  Tobart  have  recently  preached  a  mission  in  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.,  which  made  a  marked  religious  impression 
on  the  entire  city. 

The  Rev.  J.  W.  Shackleford,  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the 
Redeemer,  corner  of  Park  Avenue  and  Eighty-second 
Street,  New  York,  secured  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Father 
Grafton,  of  the  Church  of  the  Advent,  Boston,  who  ably 
conducted  the  mission  in  his  church.  It  began  most  au- 
spiciously on  Monday,  November  29th.  The  church  was 
completely  filled  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  the  music  was  admir- 
able and  hearty.  The  first  sermon  in  the  course,  by  Father 
Grafton,  was  on  "  Man,"  God's  creature,  and  the  relation 
of  the  creature  to  the  Creator,  and  was  a  masterly  and 
eloquent  presentation  of  the  subject.  In  the  evening 
crowds  went  away  unable  to  gain  admission  to  the  church. 
The  subject  was  the  first  and  second  Adam.  Man  died  in 
the  first  Adam  ;  in  the  second,  eternal  life  is  given  to  him. 
One  sermon  prepared  the  way  for  the  one  to  follow  it. 
Impression  was  added  to  impression.  The  decision  of  the 
will  to  be  a  Christian  indeed  was  facilitated.  The  course  of 
sermons  was  continued  through  the  week,  and  the  very  large 
congregations  were  deeply  interested.  "  The  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints"  was  presented  in  a  logical  order, 
and  included  Doctrines,  Sacraments,  and  Christian  duties. 

Father  Grafton  is  a  cultivated  and  earnest  clergyman. 


528  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

His  reverence  is  great,  but  his  face  is  usually  radiant.  His 
heart  is  large  and  his  manner  genial.  Several  years  ago 
the  author  was  cordially  welcomed  to  the  hospitality  of  his 
clergy  house.  (He  is  glad  to  record  that  the  "  ritualistic' ' 
clergy  do  not  send  a  brother  even  to  purgatory  because  he 
is  not  ecclesiastically  "  high,"  and  bows  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  only  in  the  Creed.)  As  a  missioner  Father  Grafton  is 
at  times  vehement,  and  his  words  are  a  fervent  torrent  of 
warning  or  entreaty.  In  clarion  tone  he  cries  aloud,  and 
spares  not,  and  lifts  up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet.  Now,  in 
gentler  tone,  he  obeys  the  command,  "  Comfort  ye,  CGmfort 
ye  my  people,  saith  the  Lord.  Speak  ye  comfortably  to 
Jerusalem."  Father  Grafton  is  an  able  writer,  a  de- 
voted Rector,  and  an  earnest  and  eloquent  Missioner. 
In  view  of  the  unreasonable  expectations  of  some  Rectors 
concerning  missions  and  missioners,  he  gives  the  excellent 
advice  contained  in  "  The  Church  Revived, "  Part  V., 
Chapter  XXXIX. 


THE  CI1CRCII  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    COMMUNION. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Rev.  Dr.  Courtney,  the  Mis- 
sioncr — Circular  Defining  the  Mission — Programme  of  Hie 
Daily  Services — The  Rector  Greatly  Encouraged — Lay  Work- 
ers' Association. 

The  Rev.  H.  Mottett,  the  earnest  Rector  of  the  Church 
of  the  Holy  Communion,  long  before  the  commencement 
of  the  New  York  Advent  Mission,  earnestly  prayed  that 
God  would  prepare  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  receive  the 
message  of  His  love,  and  labored  diligently  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  arrival  of  the  Missioner,  the  Rev.  F.  Court- 
ney, S.T.D. ,  of  St.  Paul's,  Boston,  Mass.  The  following 
is  one  page  of  the  mission  literature  which  was  extensively 
circulated  : 

11  My  Friend  :  Everywhere  the  question  is  being  asked, 
What  is  this  mission  that  is  to  commence  in  New  York  on 
Saturday,  November  28th  ?  It  will  interest  you  to  know 
just  what  it  is,  because  it  has  an  interest  for  you.  In  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Communion,  as  in  other  churches,  it 
will  consist  of  a  number  of  special  services,  lasting  for  ten 
days,  which  are  meant  to  get  hold  of  two  great  classes  of 
people — those  who  already  go.  to  church,  and  those  who 
do  not.  The  former  it  should  make  yet  better  Christians  ; 
the  latter  it  should  bring  into  conscious  relation  with  the 
one  Father  of  us  all.     The  former  it  should  make  vet  more 


530  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

careful  to  avoid  all  wrong-doing  ;  the  latter  it  should  teach 
the  hatefulness  and  evil  consequences  of  all  sin.  The  former 
it  should  make  more  kind  to  all,  more  faithful  and  thorough 
in  the  discharge  of  even  the  commonest  duties,  more 
earnest  in  daily  prayer  and  the  reading  of  God's  Word, 
more  eager  to  worship  God  in  His  Church,  more  regular  in 
receiving  Holy  Communion,  more  full  of  God's  love  ;  the 
latter  it  should  lead  to  behold  and  see,  in  the  Christian  life, 
the  honor  of  being  a  true  child  of  God,  the  manliness  of 
resisting  and  battling  against  temptation,  the  nobility  of 
being  pure  and  honest  and  kind  to  all,  the  blessedness  of 
God's  life  in  man  here  and  the  happiness  of  man's  life  in 
the  hereafter. 

'-  Now  you  know  what  the  mission  is  and  what  it  can  do 
for  you.  The  mission,  then,  has  a  benefit  in  store  for  you, 
for  your  family  and  your  friends.  Therefore,  as  a  man 
or  woman,  loving  the  right,  respecting  the  right,  and  wish- 
ing to  do  what  is  right,  make  time  to  attend  at  least  all  the 
night  services,  which  will  commence  at  half-past  seven 
o'clock. 

"  We  pray  every  day  that  God  will  bless  the  mission  to 
you  and  yours  and  us  all. 

11  Faithfully  yours, 
11  The  Church  of  the  Holy  Communion. 
"  November  21,  1S85." 

PROGRAMME    OF    THE    MISSION    SERVICES. 

Sunday — 8  A.M.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  11  a.m.,  Morning 
Prayer  and  sermon  ;  3  p.m.,  short  service,  special  address  to  the  young  ; 
8  p.m.,  Evening  Prayer,  sermon,  and  "  after-meeting." 

Monday — 8  a.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  11  a.m.,  Bible 
reading  ;    S  p.m.,  short  Evening  Prayer,  sermon,  and  "  after-meeting." 

Tuesday,  December  1 — S  a.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  it 
a.m.,  Bible  reading  ;  3  p.m.,  address  ;  8  p.m.,  suort  Evening  Prayer, 
sermon,  and  "  after-meeting." 


THE  CIICRCII  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION.  531 


Wednesday— S  a.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  n  a.m.,  Bible 
reading  ;  3  P.M.,  short  service  and  address  to  women  only  ;  8  P.M., 
short  Evening  Prayer,  sermon,  and  "after-meeting." 

Thursday  — 8  a.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  11  a.m.,  Bible 
reading  ;  3  P.M.,  for  men  ;  8  P.M.,  short  Evening  Prayer,  sermon  and 
"  after-meeting." 

Friday — S  A.M.,  Holy  Communion  and  address;  11  A.M.,  Bible  read- 
ing ;  8  p.m.,  short  Evening  Prayer,  sermon,  and  "  after-meeting." 

Saturday — S  a.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  11  a.m.,  Bible 
reading. 

Sunday — 8  A.m.,  Holy  Communion  and  address  ;  n  A.M.,  Morning 
Prayer  and  sermon  ;  8  p.m.,  Evening  Prayer,  sermon,  and  "  after-meet- 
ing." 

Monday,  December  7 — 11  A.m.,  Bible  reading  and  Holy  Communion  ; 
8  p.m.,  Thanksgiving  service. 

THE    ATTENDANCE    AND    GENERAL    INTEREST. 

The  daily  services  were  well  attended  ;  in  the  evening 
the  church  was  crowded,  and  many  who  desired  to  enter 
could  not  find  standing-room.  The  mission  for  children 
always  packed  the  church,  and  the  children  were  in- 
structed and  edified. 

On  Wednesday  afternoon  the  service  was  designed  to 
benefit  aged  people.  The  church  was  nearly  filled,  and 
among  those  present  were  venerable  ladies  of  social  dis- 
tinction and  of  great  refinement,  and  a  number  were 
present  attired  in  the  emblems  of  mourning.  Missioner 
Courtney  set  forth  that 

OLD    AGE    HAS    ITS    CONSOLATIONS. 

He  drew  his  illustrations  from  eminent  saints  whose 
biography  is  contained  in  the  Bible  ;  and,  in  his  own  ad- 
mirable and  impressive  mode  of  biblical  exposition,  he 
described  the  grand  old  age  of  the  lawgiver,  Moses  ;  of  the 
psalmist,  David  ;  of  St.  Paul,  the  great  Missioner  to  the 
Gentiles  ;  and  also  of  St.  John,  the  seer  of  Patmos,  who  in 


532  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

his  old  age  had  the  apocalyptic  vision  concerning  the  vicis- 
situdes of  Christ's  militant  Church,  the  crucified  Saviour's 
messianic  triumphs,  death  and  Hell  destroyed,  and  as  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  reigning  with  His  glorified 
Church  in  the  sinless,  deathless,  and  tearless  city,  the  New 
Jerusalem.  Thus,  when  bending  beneath  the  weight  of 
many  eventful  years,  he  saw  the  consummation  of  the  work 
of  redemption,  the  Redeemer  enthroned,  and  heard  as  loud 
as  the  voice  of  many  waters  and  mighty  thundering  the 
doxologies  of  the  innumerable  and  glorified  company  of 
the  redeemed.  He  next  showed  that  views  of  life  change 
as  life  advances,  and  referred  to  what  is  often  said  by  per- 
sons advanced  in  life — viz.,  "  That  we  do  not  readily  make 
a  friend  after  we  are  forty  years  old.  It  is  for  the  friends 
of  our  childhood,  our  youth,  those  with  whom  we  have 
discussed  the  questions  of  the  day  as  events  passed,  that 
we  feel  most  attachment.  Those  of  a  later  generation  have 
their  own  views  of  things  to  which  we  are  not  accustomed. " 
He  spoke  of  the  difference  between  mere  companionship 
and  real  friendship.  With  the  advance  of  years,  he  said, 
came  the  sense  of  the  failure  of  life,  the  failure  to  reach  the 
ideal  of  youth.  Old  friends  passed  away  one  by  one,  and 
people  then  looked  around  for  sympathy.  Where  was  it 
always  to  be  found  ?  In  God's  promise  never  to  forsake 
those  who  turned  to  Him.  The  consolation  of  the  Gospel 
was  not  for  those  who  deserved,  but  for  those  who  needed 
it  ;  and  each  would  say,  "  These  words  were  put  here 
because  I  need  them."  He  spoke  of  the  hours  when  the 
old  looked  back  upon  their  lives,  and  of  the  peace  that 
came  from  the  life  given  to  His  glory. 

employers'  consideration    for  employes. 

That  clerks  employed  in  the  numerous  stores  in  the  vicin- 
ity   of    the    Church    of    the    Holy    Communion,   and    also 


THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION.  533 

those  in  the  largest  establishments  in  Broadway  might  he 
benefited  by  the  mission,  their  employers  kindly  afforded 
them  every  facility  practicable  to  enable  them  to  attend 
the  services.  Special  efforts  were  made  to  have  the  "  ser- 
vice for  men  only"  at  four  o'clock  on  Saturday,  December 
6th,  one  of  unusual  practical  interest.  At  the  early  morn- 
ing, noon,  and  afternoon  services  the  church  was  nearly 
full  ;  at  the  evening  services  it  was  crowded  ;  a  dignified 
sobriety  marked  the  worship,  and  sincere  earnestness  on 
the  part  of  the  listeners.  At  times  two  thirds  of  them 
remained  for  "  the  after-meeting."  A  noticeable  feature 
was  the  large  attendance  of  men.  No  less  than  fifty  thou- 
sand pages  of  mission  literature  had  been  circulated,  most 
of  it  going  through  the  hands  of  lay-workers. 

The  upper  room  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Communion 
was  a  centre  of  the  prayerful  preparation  for  God's  bless- 
ings on  the  Advent  Mission  and  the  Missioners,  that  God 
would  "  mightily  endow  them  with  the  gifts  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  give  them  a  holy  tenderness  for  souls,  much 
discretion,  great  boldness,  faith  in  the  power  of  His  Word, 
acceptableness  with  the  people,  wisdom  and  perseverance  ; 
with  much  of  His  grace  and  power  for  themselves." 

The  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Communion 
believes  that  the  Advent  Mission  marks  anew  epoch  in  the 
history  of  the  Church,  and  that  "  the  mission  has  come  to 
stay."  It  has  exceeded  in  its  results  the  expectations  of 
its  promoters.  It  is  too  soon  to  speak  definitely  of  the 
ultimate  success  of  the  mission.  The  six  daily  services 
were  remarkably  well  attended.  At  noon  and  at  4.50  p.m. 
the  church  was  full  ;  at  8  p.m.  people  were  turned  away. 
The  "  after-meetings"  comprised  more  than  one-half  of 
the  congregation,  and  the  Missioner,  Rev.  F.  Courtney, 
S.T.D.,  spent  no  less  than  two  hours  daily  with  inquirers. 
Thanks  to  the  large  corps  of  intelligent  and  faithful  lay- 


534  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

workers,  the  neighborhood  was  thoroughly  canvassed  per- 
sonally, and  as  a  result  the  number  of  strangers  was  very 
noticeable.  At  night,  and  on  Sundays,  many  were  turned 
away  after  all  the  standing-room  was  filled. 

On  Saturday,  at  4  p.m.,  the  church  was  full  of  men,  who 
were  deeply  impressed  by  the  practical  nature  of  the 
solemn  address. 

THE    ASSURED    OUTCOMES    OF    THE    MISSION  : 

First,  a  Sunday-night  service  for  non-church-goers,  at 
which,  as  in  the  primitive  Church,  the  sermon  will  be 
preached  by  a  Layman.  Second,  a  working-girls'  club. 
Third,  a  lay-workers'  association,  for  which  there  are 
already  pledged  about  one  hundred  men  and  women  to 
labor  in  connection  with  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Com- 
munion. 

The  results  of  the  mission  are  cheering  to  the  Rector, 
the  Missioner,  and  parishioners.  The  Rector  believes  that 
the  parochial  mission  will  prove  the  most  potent  agency 
(or  reaching  the  neglected  of  all  classes. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  II EA  VENL  Y  REST.  535 


CHAPTER   XX. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HEAVENLY    REST. 

Extracts  from  the  Rev.  D.  Parker  Morgan's  Pastoral — The 
Missioned  s  Appeal — The  Inwwrtality  of  the  Soul — The  Bible 
Readings — Requests  for  Prayer — Results  of  the  Mission. 

The  Rev.  F.  Pigou,  D.D.,  the  Vicar  of  Halifax,  and 
chaplain  in  ordinary  to  the  Queen,  in  his  mission  circular 
to  the  parishioners  of  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest, 
said  :  .   .   .   . 

11  '  We  preach  Christ  crucified  '  in  momentary  depend- 
ence on  the  presence  and  accompanying  power  of  God  the 
Holy  Ghost,  who  rules  this  present  and  last  dispensation. 
We  endeavor  to  encourage  men  everywhere  to  honor  the 
Holy  Ghost  ;  to  listen  to  His  still  voice  in  the  soul  ;  to 
seek  His  teaching  who  guides  into  all  truth  ;  to  act  on  His 
gracious  inspiration  who  '  sanctifies  all  the  elect  people  of 
God.'  We  minister  in  much  fear  and  trembling,  it  is  true, 
for  '  we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,'  but,  at  the 
same  time,  in  holy  and  confident  expectation  that  our  God 
and  Father,  in  His  all-embracing  love,  and  in  His  declared 
willingness  that  all  men  should  be  saved,  will  accompany 
the  word  preached  '  with  signs  following.' 

11  This  being  so,  you  have  nothing  to  fear  in  this  proposed 
1  mission  '  except  indifference  to  the  call  of  God.  As 
regards  what  is  ordinarily  understood  by  and  distrusted  as 
excitement,    long    experience  convincingly   persuades   me 


536  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

that  the  blessing  we  look  for  is  real  and  enduring  in  pro- 
portion to  the  absence  of  unhealthy  excitement.  It  is  not 
only  because  '  sensationalism  '  is  foreign  to  my  own  habit 
of  thought,  and  far  removed  from  my  own  methods,  that 
I  say  this  ;  but  I  hold  strongly  that  it  is  to  dishonor  the 
Word  of  God,  and  to  discredit  His  power,  to  resort  to 
anything  unreal,  histrionic,  and  exaggerated  in  the  conduct 
of  the  services.  I  believe  in  services  characterized  by  the 
very  utmost  reverence,  decorum,  and  sobriety  ;  in  the 
preaching  of  the  message  as  simply  as  the  message  itself  is 
simple  ;  in  music,  tender,  sweet,  devotional  ;  in  hymns, 
selected  not  for  the  sake  of  some  sensational  or  '  catch- 
ing '  tune,  but  selected  for  the  sake  of  the  words.  For 
this  reason  I  always  ask  that  I  may  be  allowed  to  conduct 
the  music  myself  at  the  week-day  services.  I  have  been 
collecting  tunes  for  many  years,  and  I  have  reason  to  know 
how  largely  a  sweet  tune,  wedded  to  sweet  words,  conduce 
to  devotional  feeling.  I  have,  for  this  reason,  also  asked 
your  Pastor  to  allow  us  to  have  our  own  hymn-book.  I 
believe  in  the  perfect  stillness  of  an  after-meeting,  where 
the  soul  is  waiting  quietly  for  the  moving  of  the  waters. 
I  believe  in  the  power  of  silent  prayer,  and  of  quiet  com- 
munion with  God,  as  the  great  safeguard  against  reaction, 
and  as  some  security  against  ephemeral  and  unprofitable 
impressions.  I  pray  of  you,  therefore,  to  put  away  from 
your  minds,  as  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west,  any  such 
fear  about  '  excitement,'  wThich  is  not  only,  so  far  as  I  am 
concerned,  groundless,  but  might,  if  entertained,  seriously 
prejudice  our  work. 

"  The  List  of  Services  is  in  your  hands.  It  is  not  for  me 
to  ask  you  to  avail  yourself  of  this  opportunity.  I  cannot 
propeily  urge  on  you  to  come  and  hear.  That  invitation 
must  come  from  his  lips  who  exercises  among  you  the  more 
stated   ministry,  and  who,  in  inviting  the  mission  into  his 


THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HEAVENLY  REST.  537 

church,  gives  fresh  evidence,  were  it  needed,  of  his  earnest 
desire  for  the  spiritual  well-being  of  the  flock  committed 
to  his  care.  This  much,  however,  I  may  be  permitted  to 
say,  that  the  plan  I  invariably  pursue  is  that  of  a  consecu- 
tive course  of  teaching,  and  so  consecutive  that  it  is  well 
not  to  miss,  if  you  can  help  doing  so,  one  link  in  the  chain. 
Put  the  List  of  Services  in  some  prominent  place,  that  you 
may  be  well  reminded  of  them. 

11  Is  it  going  outside  my  province  to  express  the  hope  that 
you  will  make  such  arrangements  as  shall  set  you  and  yours 
free  to  attend  the  services  ?  This  much  I  feel  I  may  fitly 
ask  of  those  to  whom  I  come  some  thousands  of  miles 
across  sea  and  land  to  minister.  And  will  you  not  pray 
for  me  ?  Ask  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  to  bestow  on  me 
special  grace  for  a  special  work  for  Him.  Pray  for  your- 
self that  this  '  mission  '  may  be  to  your  own  soul  a  time 
of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Pray  for 
those  near  and  dear  to  you,  that  they  also  may  be  partakers 
of  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"  Entered  on  in  a  spirit  of  Pentecostal  expectation,  con- 
tinued in  a  spirit  of  persevering  and  importunate  prayer, 
the  '  mission  '  will  surely  end  in  heartfelt  and  grateful 
praise. 

"  I  remain,  faithfully  yours, 

11  Francis  Pigou." 

the  pastoral  of  the  rev.  d.  parker  morgan. 

551  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  Oct.  1,  1885. 
My  Dear  Parishioners  and  Friends  :  The  great  "  Ad- 
vent Mission  "  is  nigh,  even  at  the  doors  !  In  placing  the 
Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest  in  line  with  the  twenty  and 
one  churches  of  this  city,  which,  under  the  leadership  of 
the  Assistant  Bishop,  have  united  in  this  movement,  I  in- 
curred  no  smail   responsibility.      The   fact   that  our  dear 


538  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Rector — whose  health  has  not  yet  permitted  him  to  return 
to  us — is  not  here  to  share  it  with  me,  makes  that  respon- 
sibility all  the  greater.  We  have,  however,  the  assistance 
of  his  prayers  and  the  assurance  that  none  will  rejoice 
more  heartily  than  himself  if  God  shall  be  pleased  to  crown 
the  mission  with  success.  I  need  scarcely  tell  you  that  I 
have  not  taken  this  important  step  hastily  or  unadvisedly. 
I  have  carefully  sought  guidance  herein  from  my  brethren, 
from  my  Bishop,  and,  above  all,  from  my  God.  To  me  a 
mission  is  no  new  thing.  The  glorious  results  of  such  an 
effort,  as  is  now  proposed,  I  have  myself  witnessed  both  in 
England  and  Wales.  May  God  grant  like  results  in  this 
parish  and  city  ! 

The  mission  preacher,  also,  is  no  unknown  or  untried 
person.  On  the  contrary,  there  are  few  of  the  clergy  of 
the  English  Church  who  have  had  greater  experience  in 
this  particular  work,  or  whose  labors  have  been  crowned 
with  such  blessed  visible  results.  Being  thus  assured  of 
the  special  qualifications  of  the  mission  preacher,  and  con- 
fident, from  personal  observation,  that  God's  extraordinary 
blessing  follows  such  efforts,  I  joined  this  movement.  And 
here  let  me  thank  you,  my  dear  people,  from  my  heart,  for 
the  manner  in  which  you  have  trusted  my  judgment  herein  ; 
and  have,  in  every  possible  way,  expressed  your  deter- 
mination to  help  in  bringing  the  work  to  good  effect. 

There  is  one  question  which  has  been  asked,  and  which 
I  would  wish  to  answer  in  this  place.  It  is  this  :  "  As 
our  church  is  so  full,  and  our  pews  are  all  rented,  what 
need  have  we  of  a  mission  ?" 

My  dear  friends,  it  is  one  thing  to  have  a  church  full  of 
people,  and  quite  another  thing  to  have  it  full  of  bright, 
active,  consistent  Christians — "such  as  shall  be  saved  !" 
It  is  one  thing  to  have  a  pew  in  the  Church  on  earth,  and 
quite  another  thing  to  have  a  right  to  and  meetness  for  a 


THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HEAVENLY  REST.  539 


seat  in  the  Church  above  !  When  you  consider  how  many 
worshippers  there  are  in  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest, 
but  how  few  workers,  whereas  the  Master  has  given  "  to 
every  man  his  work,"  I  ask,  is  there  not  a  cause  ?  When 
you  consider  how  many  turn  their  backs  upon  the  Holy 
Communion,  whereas  Jesus  has  solemnly  said  :  "  The  bread 
which  I  will  give  is  my  flesh,  which  I  will  give  for  the  life 
of  the  world.  Except  ye  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  Man, 
and  drink  His  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  you,"  I  ask,  is  there 
not  a  cause  ?  When  you  consider  how  many  backsliders 
there  are  who  once  ran  well,  but  somehow  have  been  hin- 
dered ;  who  once  put  their  hand  to  the  plough,  but  have 
somehow  looked  back  ;  and  when  you  know  that  the  Apos- 
tle speaks  in  most  awful  terms  of  this  "  drawing  back  unto 
perdition, ' '  I  ask,  is  there  not  a  cause  ?  When  you  consider 
how  many  "  are  weak  and  sickly  among  us,"  continually 
doing  things  unworthy  of  their  high  calling  ;  and  when 
you  know  that  the  Spirit  commands  us  to  "  strengthen 
the  things  which  remain,  and  are  ready  to  die,"  I  ask,  is 
there  not  a  cause  ?  Yes  !  And  when  you  consider  the 
spiritual  condition  of  the  best  among  us,  how  little  we 
know  of  "  the  peace  of  God,"  how  little  we  realize  of  "  joy 
in  believing,"  how  cold  our  prayers,  how  dull  our  devo- 
tions, how  L-cant  our  offerings,  how  little  our  labors,  how 
imperfect  our  lives,  I  ask  again,  is  there  not  a  cause  ?  God 
knows  there  is  ! 

During  the  weeks  that  shall  elapse  between  this  and  the 
mission,  I  shall  in  various  ways  engage  your  assistance  in 
doing  all  that  we  can,  "  as  fellow- workers  with  God,"  to 
promote  the  success  of  this  effort.  ...  It  may  move  some 
to  greater  self-sacrifice  in  this  matter  if  I  remind  you  that 
such  an  exceptional  opportunity  for  drawing  nigh  to  God 
may  never  come  to  you  again.  That  this  "ambassador 
for  Christ"  will  have  to  travel  three  thousand   miles  across 


540  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  seas  to  beseech  you,  in  his  Master's  name.  That  his 
own  populous  and  most  important  parish  will  be  making  a 
great  self-sacrifice  in  giving  him  and  his  services  to  us  for 
six  weeks,  and  that  his  own  personal  labors  in  the  work 
will  be  such  as  few  men  are  willing  or  able  to  bear.  .  .  . 
Finally,  my  dear  friends,  pray  for  us  who  minister  to  you 
in  holy  things.  Pray  for  the  mission  preacher.  Pray  for 
all  who  come  to  the  mission.  Pray  for  yourselves.  And 
let  us  all  unite  in  praying  to  God,  the  Father,  that  for  the 
sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  His  Son,  He  will  manifest  His  Holy 
Spirit  with  such  power,  during  the  mission,  that  the  name 
of  our  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest  may  be  to  us  a  greater 
reality  than  even  heretofore. 

Your  affectionate  pastor  and  friend, 

D.   Parker  Morgan. 

SKETCH    OF    THE    MISSIOXER. 

The  Rev.  Francis  Pigou,  D.D.,  is  eminently  adapted  to 
the  people  who  attended  the  mission  services  in  the  Church 
of  the  Heavenly  Rest,  Fifth  Avenue,  and  who  were  glad  to 
see  and  hear  a  Missioner  who  had  preached  before  the 
Queen  of  England,  other  members  of  the  Royal  family,  and 
to  members  of  Parliament.  He  is  now  fifty-four  years  of 
age,  of  medium  height,  and  his  head  and  features  are  indic- 
ative of  moral  and  intellectual  power.  As  an  orator,  his 
voice  is  not  strong,  but  persuasive  ;  his  tones  are  generally 
subdued,  his  inflections  purely  English,  and  his  manner  is 
decided.  He  utters  his  sentences  deliberately  ;  his  stirred 
emotion  is  under  control  ;  and  some  of  his  sermons  re- 
sembled paternal  advice,  given  with  decision,  combined 
with  tenderness.* 


*  See  sketches  of  other  Missioners  in  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  V., 
Ch.  XXXII. 


THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HEAVENL  V  REST.  541 

THE    IMMORTALITY    OF    THE    SOUL. 

Space  will  permit  only  a  brief  quotation  from  one  of  Mis- 
sioner  Pigou's  able  mission  sermons.  "  Christ,"  said  the 
preacher,  "  would  never  have  spoken  as  He  did  if  the  loss 
of  the  soul  is  impossible.  The  body,  in  time,  is  reduced 
to  a  handful  of  dust  ;  but  the  soul  is  imperishable.  Sci- 
entific men  have  abandoned  the  idea  that  reason  is  the  di- 
viding line  between  man  and  the  brute.  God  made  man  in 
the  image  of  His  own  eternity.  At  the  resurrection  the 
body  is  to  be  glorified  ;  but  the  soul  will  not  lose  its  identity, 
for  it  is  eternal.  Three  characteristics  of  the  ancient  Church 
most  affected  the  heathen  mind  :  the  solemnity  of  worship, 
the  care  of  strangers,  and  the  reverence  of  the  burial  cere- 
mony. The  soul  is  not  the  life  which  we  have  in  common 
with  the  brute  and  the  vegetable.  We  are  to  look  for  the 
origin  of  man  in  Paradise,  and  not  in  the  Zoological  Gar- 
den. The  scientists  who  deny  the  existence  of  the  soul  admit 
that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  annihilation  in  nature.  If 
sense  perception  is  all  we  have,  why  do  we  try  to  increase 
sense  by  the  use  of  the  microscope  or  telescope  ?  Granting 
the  conservation  of  force,  affection  is  itself  an  eternal  force 
which  links  us  to  those  in  the  other  world.  The  whole 
scheme  of  salvation  rests  on  the  immortality  of  the  soul, 
which  itself  rests  not  on  the  Bible,  as  some  suppose,  but  in 
the  human  mind.  If  the  soul  is  immortal,  it  must  live  in 
the  presence  of  God  or  remain  estranged  and  in  outer  dark- 
ness." The  sermon  was  a  masterly  and  overwhelming 
argument  concerning  the  great  value  of  the  soul. 

THE    BIBLE    READINGS    AT     I  I     A.M.     DAILY 

were  perhaps  the  most  visibly  blessed  of  all  the  services. 
The  church  was  filled  every  day  at  that  hour,  and  the 
hearers  kept  in  rapt  attention  to  the  end.     At  the  close  of 


54:2  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

each  of  the  Bible  readings  there  was  held  a  meeting  for 
intercessory  prayer  ;  and  on  some  days  as  many  as  sixty 
requests  for  prayer  were  received.  These  meetings  were 
most  affecting  and  solemn  ;  and  at  one  of  them  the  church 
was  crowded  with  at  least  one  thousand  ladies,  on  whom 
the  Missioner  impressed  the  fact  that  we  constantly  exer- 
cise a  marvellous  unconscious  influence.  Sunday  hundreds 
were  unable  to  obtain  even  standing-room.  At  one  of  the 
services  the  Missioner's4  subject  was  :  "  To  abide  in  Christ 
is  the  secret  of  perseverance  in  well-doing.  Work,  once 
taken  up  earnestly  and  entered  upon  with  hopes  which 
experience  shows  to  have  been  too  sanguine,  palls  by  de- 
grees upon  the  taste,  becomes  irksome,  and  at  last  is  dis- 
continued. So  it  will  be,  so  it  must  be,  where  it  is  either 
taken  up  from  lower  motives,  or  where  we  do  not  habit- 
ually realize  that  it  is  God's  work  we  are  doing." 

The  sermons  and  instructions  of  Missioner  Pigou  were 
characterized  by  intense  solemnity,  and  were  of  an  un- 
usually thorough  character — beginning  with  repentance 
toward  God,  and  leading  his  hearers  on,  step  by  step,  to 
thanksgiving.  The  whole  mission  in  this  church  has  been 
much  more  successful  than  the  most  sanguine  in  the  parish 
had  ever  dared  to  expect  ;  and  for  the  great  blessing  the 
parish  has  received  the  Missioner,  Rector,  and  parishioners 
ecstatically,  but  gratefully,  exclaim,  "Laus  Deo  /" 


ADVENT  MI  SSI  OX  AT  ST.  MICHAEL1 S  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER    XXL 

THE    ADVENT    MISSION    AT    ST.    MICHAEL'S    CHURCH. 

Missioner  Van  De  Water — Subjects  of  His  Sermons — Afternoon 
Addresses — Children's  Services — The  After-meetings —  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Peters  s  Interest  in  Parochial  Missions. 

The  mission  began  most  auspiciously  on  Sunday  evening, 
November  29th,  and  continued  throughout  the  week,  clos- 
ing on  Saturday  night  with  a  service  designed  to  be  pre- 
paratory for  the  celebrations  of  the  Holy  Communion, 
which  followed  on  Sunday.  The  services  were  conducted 
by  the  Missioner,  the  Rev.  George  R.  Van  De  Water,  as- 
sisted at  all  the  meetings  by  the  Rector  of  the  parish,  the 
Rev.  T.  M.  Peters,  S.T.D.,  and  his  assistants,  the  Rev. 
Frank  Draper  and  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Fawcett. 

The  opening  sermon  in  the  course  was  on  "  Sin  :  Its 
Character  and  Penalty,"  and  was  a  masterly  and  eloquent 
presentation  of  the  subject.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the 
subjects  in  their  order  on  the  succeeding  evenings  :  "  Re- 
pentance," in  which  the  preacher  drew  a  marked  distinc- 
tion, and  in  a  very  graphic  manner,  between  a  mere 
worldly  sorrow  for  sin  and  that  godly  sorrow  which 
worketh  repentance  to  salvation  ;  '*  Faith,"  in  which  he 
set  forth  three  kinds  :  emotional,  abstract,  and  intellect- 
ual ;  "  Obedience,"  two  kinds,  passive  and  active  ; 
11  Jesus,"  a  witness  ;  "  Seeking  the  Lord,  and  the  Danger 
of  Delay  ;"  and  lastly,  "  The  Feast  of  the  Christian,"  of 
which  the  Sacrament  is  the  symbol. 


5U  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

His  afternoon  addresses  to  Christian  people  were  on  : 
(i)  "  Searching  the  Heart."  (2)  "  Comfort  in  Zion." 
(3)  "  Faith  Attested  by  Works."  (4)  "  Bearing  Our  Own 
and  One  Another's  Burdens."  (5)  "  The  Contemplative 
and  Active  Sides  of  the  Christian  Life."  (6)  "  The  Sacra- 
ment of  the  Holy  Communion." 

At  four  o'clock  the  congregation  consisted  mostly  of 
Church  women,  to  whom  he  preached  sermons  on  the 
Christian's  life  hid  with  Christ  and  God  ;  and  they  were 
highly  appreciated. 

At  the  children's  services  he  told  his  little  hearers  the 
familiar  Bible  stories,  drawing  from  each  the  particular 
moral  lesson  he  wanted  to  impress  on  their  youthful  minds. 
His  first  talk  was  upon  the  story  suggested  by  the  text  : 
"  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  Me."  This  was 
followed  on  the  next  afternoon  by  the  story  of  Jacob's 
ladder.  He  also  told  them  about  the  three  children  in  the 
fiery  furnace,  and  the  story  of  the  Shunamite  woman  and 
Elisha.  At  his  last  meeting  with  the  children  a  lovely  and 
pathetic  scene  took  place  which  is  worth  recording.  He  had 
been  talking  to  them  about  the  triumphal  entrance  of  our 
Saviour  into  Jerusalem,  just  before  His  crucifixion,  how 
the  little  children  followed  in  His  train,  waving  their  palm 
branches,  and  shouting  and  singing  His  praises.  The 
little  ones  were  almost  breathless,  so  vividly  was  the  pict- 
ure drawn.  He  then  put  the  question  to  them  :  "  How 
many  of  you,  my  dear  children,  will  wave  your  palms  for 
Him  ?"  In  an  instant  every  little  hand  went  up,  as  if 
pulled  to  its  upright  position  by  an  invisible  cord  from  above. 
The  children's  services  were  largely  attended,  and  great 
interest  was  manifested*  Previous  to  the  sermon  requests 
for  prayers  were  read,  and  during  the  mission  a  deepening 
of  the  spiritual  life  was  manifest.  The  evening  services  at 
7.30  were  very  largely  attended,  and  mostly  by  strangers. 


A  D  1  rEN  T  MI  SSI  OX  A  T  S  T.  MIL  HA  EL 'S  CHI  'A'  CII.      6  1 5 

The  after-meetings  presented  strong  evidence  of  a 
deepening  spirituality  that  was  most  gratifying.  Many 
souls  had  been  reached  by  the  different  services,  and  testi- 
fied that  they  had  been  quickened.  Some  who  had  been 
led  astray  turned  their  back  to  the  world,  resolved  to 
reform  and  live  a  holy  life.  At  the  closing  service  the 
church  was  crowded.  Numerous  were  the  testimonies  that 
it  had  been  "  good  to  them  to  be  drawn  near  to  God." 
The  congregation  listened  with  rapt  attention,  and  on 
their  faces  beamed  an  intelligence  that  betokened  a  perfect 
understanding  of  the  preacher's  words.  The  singing  at 
all  the  services  was  loud  and  hearty. 

At  the  porch  of  the  church  was  placed  a  box  intended  to 
receive  any  requests  of  prayer  that  might  be  desired.  Mis- 
sioner  Van  De  Water  kept  this  constantly  before  the  people 
in  attendance,  and  during  the  mission  a  very  large  number 
were  received.  These  were  read  at  the  afternoon  meetings, 
and  fervent  prayers  were  offered  that  God  would  graciously 
answer  them,  if  in  accordance  with  His  holy  will,  and  the 
welfare  of  those  for  whom  the  special  blessings  were  de- 
sired. 

The  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van  De  Water  was  char- 
acterized  especially  by  its  definiteness  of  aim,  its  wonderful 
adaptation  to  the  various  classes  of  people  to  be  reached, 
and  its  intense  earnestness.  Entirely  free  from  all  cant, 
all  on  fire  with  enthusiasm,  yet  in  perfect  command  of 
himself,  the  effect  of  his  preaching  was  plainly  visible  by 
the  intense  and  quiet  solemnity  of  his  congregations.  His 
sermons  were  so  simple  and  so  earnest,  and  pleaded  so 
affectionately,  that  his  hearers  listened  with  absorbed  atten- 
tion. 

The  Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Peters,  has  been  interested  in 
11  the  Parochial  Mission"  for  many  years.  He  is  congratu- 
lated for  having  secured  the  earnest  Rector  of  St.  Paul's, 


546  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Brooklyn,  as  the  Missioner  at  St.  Michael's,  and  that  the 
mission  was  beneficial  to  many,  and  so  highly  appreciated. 
The  whole  mission  was  accompanied  with  a  great  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  and  for  the  great  blessing 
the  parish  has  received,  the  Missioner,  clergy,  and  parish- 
ioners feel  most  profoundly  grateful  to  the  Giver  of  every 
good  and  perfect  gift. 


CHURCH  OF  ST.  JOHN  THE  EVANGELIST,  647 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    ST.    JOHN     THE    EVANGELIST. 

The  Wainwright  Memorial — The  Rector' s  Improvements — The 
Rev.  J.  O.  Bache — The  Missioners — The  Rev.  A.  C.  Bunn, 
M.D.  —  The  Rev.  H.  L.  Foote — The  Attendance — Influence  of 
the  Services — Special  Petitions — The  Future  Harvest — The 
Missioner  s  Bereavement. 

The  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  is  the  memorial 
to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Jonathan  May  hew  Wainwright,  who  de- 
parted this  life  September  21st,  1854,  aged  sixty-two  years. 
Under  the  direction  of  the  present  Rector  the  church  has 
been  greatly  improved.  The  interior  is  now  more  churchly 
in  appearance,  and  the  pews  are  all  free.  The  new  brass 
memorial  tablets,  one  on  each  side  of  the  chancel,  per- 
petuate the  faithful  labors  of  the  former  Rectors  who  have 
departed  to  Paradise.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  church  is  a 
very  large  population,  and  the  Rector  has  labored  dili- 
gently to  allure  more  of  them  to  make  the  Wainwright 
Memorial  Church  their  house  of  worship. 

THE    REV.    JOHN    O.    BACHE. 

The  present  Rector's  diligent  and  arduous  labors  over- 
taxed his  strength,  and  a  prolonged  vacation  was  essential 
for  the  recovery  of  his  health.  Before  he  sailed  for  Eng- 
land he  arranged  with  the  Rev.  J.  O.  Bache  to  take  tem- 
porary charge  of  the  parish  during  his  absence.  He  is  a 
fluent  and  fervent  preacher,  and  his  sermons  preached  on 


548  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Sundays  and  week-day  evenings  attracted  large  congrega- 
tions. Though  the  summer  heat  was  oppressive,  he 
labored  faithfully  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  parish. 
After  the  Rector  returned  to  New  York  he  heard  cheering 
reports  of  his  temporary  substitute's  faithful  ministrations, 
and  that  they  were  highly  appreciated. 

THE    REV.    A.    C.    BUNN,    M.D. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bunn,  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Atone- 
ment, Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  ably  conducted  the  Mission  in  the 
Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist.  His  associate  was 
the  Rev.  H.  L.  Foote,  of  Holyoke,  Mass.  The  congre- 
gations did  not  fill  the  capacious  church,  but  the  attend- 
ance was  good,  and  the  interest  manifested  in  the  ser- 
vices was  decided  and  constant.  The  sermons  preached 
were  plain  statements  of  foundation  Gospel  truths  and 
appeals  to  the  gratitude  of  the  hearers  for  God's  manifested 
love  in  the  gift  of  His  only  begotten  Son,  and  to  the  hope 
of  eternal  life  through  His  all-sufficient  merit.  Their 
special  object  was  to  hold  up  Christ  as  representing  the 
gracious  will  of  the  Father,  and  His  holy  life  as  the  ideal 
of  regenerated  manhood.  The  influence  of  the  sermons 
was  mostly  upon  Church  members,  in  deepening  and  in- 
vigorating their  spiritual  life  ;  and  in  this  respect  the  in- 
fluence manifest  was  encouraging  to  the  Rector  and  the 
Missioners. 

THE    SPECIAL    SUBJECTS    FOR    PRAYERS. 

Members  of  the  congregation  daily  dropped  into  the 
boxes  near  the  church  doors  notes  containing  special  re- 
quests for  specified  blessings  for  the  writers  or  their  rela- 
tives or  friends.  The  number  of  requests  was  large,  and 
after  they  had  been  publicly  read,  extempore  prayers  were 
offered    that    God    would    graciously    grant    the    mercies 


CHURCH  OF  ST.  JOHN  THE  EVANGELIST.  549 

desired.  The  petitioners,  aware  that,  in  answer  to  prayer 
for  blessings  in  harmony  with  God's  holy  will,  He  pours 
out  superabundant  blessings,  approached  the  throne  of 
grace  as  if  they  heard  the  cheering  words  : 

"  Thou  art  coming  to  a  King, 
Large  petitions  with  thee  bring  ; 
For  His  grace  and  power  are  such, 
None  can  ever  ask  too  much." 

PREPARATIONS    FOR    A    FUTURE    HARVEST. 

That  the  benefits  of  the  mission  may  not  be  lost,  to  con- 
serve the  good  results  already  manifest,  cards  and  leaflets, 
with  a  space  left  for  the  name  and  address  of  each  who 
desired  to  join  a  Bible-class  for  preparation  for  holy 
baptism,  or  a  class  for  confirmation,  or  a  communicants' 
class,  or  a  class  for  Bible  study,  or  a  lay  workers'  guild  to 
aid  the  Rector  in  parochial  work,  were  placed  in  all  the 
pews. 

THE    MISSIOXER'S    BEREAVEMENT. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Bunn,  who  has  a  growing  parish  in 
Brooklyn,  manifested  a  spirit  of  brotherly  love  in  so  will- 
ingly conducting  the  mission  in  the  Church  of  St.  John 
the  Evangelist  to  aid  the  anxious  Rector  and  prove  a 
blessing  to  his  parish.  Soon  after  the  mission  closed  Dr. 
Bunn  was  again  called  to  drink  of  the  bitter  cup  of  bereave- 
ment. One  of  his  motherless  children  bade  farewell  to  this 
world,  and  departed  to  Paradise.  The  bereaved  father's 
sorrow  is  allayed  by  the  thought  that  mother  and  child  are 
now  where  are  no  breaking  hearts,  nor  weeping  eyes,  nor 
painful  partings — 

"  Where  no  tear  shall  ever  fall 
Nor  heart  be  sad  ; 
Where  the  glory  is  for  all, 
And  all  are  glad." 


550  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    EPIPHANY. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — The  Earnest  Missioner~-Not 
Afraid  of  Holy  Enthusiasm — The  Rector *s  Inquiries — The 
Best  Emits  of  the  Mission —  When  Satan  Tre7?ibles. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  Butler,  the  earnest  Rector  of  the  Church 
of  the  Epiphany,  arranged  with  the  Rev.  Otis  A.  Glaze- 
brook  to  be  his  Missioner.  Afterward  he  was  called  by 
the  vestry  of  St.  John's,  Elizabeth,  N.  J.,  to  become  the 
Rector,  and  in  order  to  do  so  he  resigned  his  position  as 
chaplain  of  the  University  of  Virginia.  The  Rector  of  the 
Epiphany  did  a  large  amount  of  work  in  making  due 
preparation  for  the  expected  mission.  The  "  Mission  In- 
formation Committee"  visited  from  house  to  house,  and 
generally  were  kindly  received  by  the  occupants.  Notices 
of  the  mission  services  printed  in  the  Rubric,  the  parish 
monthly,  edited  by  the  Rector,  were  distributed,  and  the 
people  \vere  cordially  invited  to  "  come  to  the  mission." 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Missioner  he  was  cordially  greeted 
by  the  Rector  and  his  people.  When  the  mission  was  com' 
menced,  at  the  first  week-day  evening  service  the  congre- 
gation was  but  little  less  than  that  usually  seen  on  Sunday 
mornings.  Each  evening  saw  increased  numbers,  until 
every  night  there  were  more  people  present  than  occupied 
the  pews  on  Sunday.  The  interest  was  such  that  at  the 
end  of  the  first  service  nearly  the  entire  congregation 
would  remain  to  the  "  after-meeting,"  and   this  was  kept 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  Oh'  THE  EPIPHANY.     651 


up  night  after  night.  The  afternoon  "  Bible  talks"  were 
well  attended,  and  the  hour  following,  when  the  Missioner 
met  all  who  wished  to  talk  with  him  privately,  was  taken 
advantage  of.  The  daily  celebration  of  the  Holy  Com- 
munion was  at  9  a.m.,  and  was  devoutly  attended  by  the 
workers.  Intercessory  prayers  were  offered  at  this  service 
in  behalf  of  all  for  whom  written  requests  had  been  sent 
in,  also  thanksgivings  for  all  who  had  been  spiritually 
helped  and  strengthened.  No  part  of  the  work  was  with- 
out encouragement.  The  spiritual  earnestness  of  the 
whole  congregation  was  aroused.  This  is  especially  true 
of  the  men  of  the  parish,  and  it  is  believed  the  mission  has 
borne  good  fruit  every  way. 

In  the  lively  and  ably  edited  Rubric  the  Rector  says  : 
"  It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  to  the  Rector  to  see  how 
heartily  the  self-sacrificing  labors  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Glaze- 
brook  have  been  recognized  and  appreciated  by  the  con- 
gregation. The  close  attention  given  to  his  intense  and 
heart-searching  words,  the  many  expressions  of  gratitude 
personally  given,  and  the  remaining  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation after  the  closing  service  of  Thanksgiving  to  take 
him  by  the  hand  were  all  indications  of  the  large  place  he 
has  won  in  the  hearts  of  this  people.  He  gladly  and 
efficiently  aided  us.  In  taking  the  parochial  duty  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Glazebrook  at  Elizabeth  for  the  two  Sundays  of 
the  mission,  the  Rector  of  the  Epiphany  found  himself  in 
most  agreeable  surroundings.  St.  John's  is  a  large  and 
beautiful  church,  and  to  preach  to  its  congregation  of 
eight  hundred  was  a  privilege  and  an  inspiration.  He 
heartily  congratulates  the  people  of  St.  John's,  Elizabeth, 
over  their  new  Rector.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Glazebrook  has 
been  a  blessing  to  us,  and  we  believe  he  will  be  to  them. 

11  We  can  think  of  the  earnest,  self-refining  and  godly 
work  of  our  Missioner  with  no  other  feeling  but  that  of 


552  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

deepest  gratitude.  He  labored  with  us  for  God  with  all 
his  heart  and  mind,  body  and  soul.  He  is  emphatically  a 
preacher  to  men,  and  we  are  not  surprised  that  from  the 
renewed  hearts  of  men  have  come  some  of  the  best  tokens 
of  the  spiritual  benefits  of  the  mission. 

11  To  no  agency  within  our  own  parish  are  we  more  in- 
debted for  the  hearty  and  happy  character  of  the  services 
than  to  our  mission  choir.  For  weeks  beforehand,  in  star- 
light or  storm,  they  came  to  the  rehearsals,  and  at  no  mis- 
sion services  did  they  fail  to  hold  up  our  hands.  It  is  a 
pleasure  to  know  that  in  several  instances  their  unselfish 
labors  for  others  have  brought  down  a  blessing  upon  them- 
selves. The  best  fruits  of  the  mission  are  those  of  which 
the  least  can  be  said  :  hearts  touched  and  made  tender  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  souls  quickened  into  new  life  and  ear- 
nestness. Many  such  have  been  made  known  to  the  Mis- 
sioner  and  Rector,  and  we  doubt  not  that  many  have  been 
benefited  who  are  too  retiring  to  let  it  be  known. 

"  Evidence  of  the  success  of  a  mission  is  a  changed  life. 
It  is  when  old  things  pass  away  and  all  things  become 
new.  Here  is  a  witness  which  cannot  be  gainsaid.  Here 
is  an  abiding  result  which  brings  honor  to  God,  and  which 
tends  to  spread  its  blessing  when  the  mission  season  has 
passed  by.  Do  you  wish  to  commend  to  others  those 
blessed  truths  which  have  brought  peace  and  comfort  to 
yourself  ?  Then  be  very  careful  about  your  daily  walk. 
Take  heed  to  your  steps.  Be  watchful  as  to  everything 
you  say  and  do.  Take  heed  to  keep  a  tender  conscience. 
Josiah  was  commended  because  his  '  heart  was  tender.' 
And  you  must  cherish  the  same  spirit.  You  must  check 
yourself  on  the  very  first  approach  of  sin.  The  least  touch 
of  evil  is  always  injurious.  A  grain  of  dust  in  the  eye 
causes  pain.  A  little  stone  in  the  foot  of  a  horse  makes  it 
stumble.     So  a  very  small  matter  may  disturb  your  peace 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  EPIPHANY,     WW 

and  lead  to  ills  of  far  greater  magnitude.  Therefore  be 
very  watchful  for  any  fault  or  neglect. 

"  Some  of  you  have  been  stirred,  and  more  or  less 
touched.  Some  of  you  have  been  alarmed  ;  you  have  seen 
your  sins  ;  you  have  thought  of  death  and  judgment,  as  you 
never  thought  of  them  before.  Perhaps  you  have  shed 
tears.  Perhaps  you  have  not  slept  so  soundly  at  night  as 
usual,  for  thinking  of  the  things  which  you  have  heard. 
And  now,  after  the  mission,  what  next  ?  Is  all  this  to  be  a 
mere  '  sensation'  in  the  parish  ?  Is  ii:  all  to  end  now  the 
Missioner  has  left  you  ?  My  friend,  this  is  a  very  solemn 
time  with  you.  We  are  not  afraid  of  excitement  if  it  be  the 
excitement  which  awakens  sleepers,  alarms  the  careless,  and 
sends  men  to  their  Bibles,  their  knees,  their  churches,  and 
their  pastors,  and  makes  them  think  of  long-neglected 
sacramental  duty.  The  excitement  we  are  afraid  of  is  the 
excitement  which  stops  at  feelings  only.  This  will  leave 
you  in  a  worse  condition  than  before. 

11  The  Missioner  is  gone  ;  but  you  have  your  Rector  and 
Pastor.  He  did  not  take  this  mission  up  as  a  week's  work 
only  ;  he  is  looking  anxiously  for  spiritual  fruit.  He  looks 
for  you  in  God's  house,  and  at  the  holy  feast  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  there  to  declare  your  faith  in  the  sacrifice  of  your 
Saviour,  and  to  receive  by  that  means  of  grace  spiritual 
strength  and  comfort.  Has  anything  which  you  have 
heard  pricked  your  conscience  ?  Have  you  seen  the  guilt 
and  folly  of  your  past  ?  You  have  heard  of  the  blood  of 
Christ,  which  cleanses  from  all  sin.  Have  you  accepted 
the  pardon  ?  Have  you  been  on  your  knees  ?  Not  at 
church  only,  but  when  alone  ?  You  have  much  to  ask  of 
God.  If  you  have  made  good  resolutions,  how  are  they 
to  be  kept  ?  Turning  over  a  new  leaf  is  hard  work — very 
hard.  You  have  not  strength  for  self-reform.  Old  habits 
are  strong  chains.     If  you    would   cease   to   do   evil,  and 


554  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


earn  to  do  well,  you  must  have  a  stronger  strength  than 
your  own.  And  this  can  come  only  from  above.  It  comes 
in  answer  to  prayer.  You  must  ask,  often  and  earnestly, 
for  the  Spirit  of  God.  He  will  give  strength  against 
temptation  ;  strength  in  trouble  ;  strength  for  every  duty. 
There  is  no  life  in  a  prayerless  soul.  Your  own  utmost 
effort  is  necessary.  You  must  work  out  your  own  salva- 
tion. But  all  is  useless  and  hopeless  if  you  do  not  become 
and  continue  to  be  a  man  or  woman  of  prayer.  On  your 
knees  must  you  seek  strength  against  your  old  sins.  An 
old  hymn  says  : 

"  '  Satan  trembles  when  he  sees 

The  weakest  saint  upon  his  knees.' 

"Almighty  God,  who  seest  that  we  have  no  power  of 
ourselves  to  help  ourselves,  keep  us  outwardly  in  our 
bodies,  and  inwardly  in  our  souls,  that  we  may  be  de- 
fended from  all  adversities  which  may  happen  to  the  body, 
and  from  all  evil  thoughts  which  may  assault  and  hurt  the 
soul,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 


THE  MI  SSI  OX  IN  ST.  PI/1  LIP'S  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

THE    MISSION    IN    ST.    PHILIP'S    CHURCH. 

Preparation  for  the  Mission — Missioner  Crapsey — The  Con- 
gregations Large —  The  Transforming  Power  of  .Gold —  The 
Mission  for  Seamen — Father  Remington  s  Open- Air  Mission. 

The  Rev.  Father  Brown,  of  the  Church  of  St.  Mary  the 
Virgin,  aided  the  colored  people  of  the  Church  of  St. 
Philip's,  Mulberry  Street,  in  preparing  for  the  mission,  as 
they  were  without  a  Rector.  Their  Missioner  was  the  Rev. 
A.  S.  Crapsey,  the  well-known  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  His  sermons  in  the  evening 
were  long,  but  the  people  were  not  wearied.  Among  the 
members  of  this  church  and  congregation  are  some  of  the 
most  wealthy  and  intelligent  of  the  colored  people  in  the 
city,  and  they  are  not  satisfied  with  "  commonplace  ser- 
mons," but  admire  "common-sense."  Their  Missioner's 
labors  were  highly  appreciated,  the  congregations  large, 
and  the  mission  was  strikingly  successful.  Hereafter  the 
church  will  be  kept  open  daily,  that  any  who  desire  to  pray 
may  enter  and  do  so  quietly,  and  be  undisturbed.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Bishop,  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  vestry  hope 
that  St.  Philip's  Church  may  prove  more  efficient  than 
ever  before.  The  mission  has  inspired  them  to  do  more 
than  ever  before  for  the  soul  welfare  of  colored  folks. 

Missioner  Crapsey  is  not  "a  colored  brother,"  but  the 
colored  people  were  deeply  interested  in  his  sermons. 
They  highly  appreciate  ability  ;  for  a  few  years  ago  they 


556  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

secured  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Walden,  who  had  been 
the  able  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Boston.  Whenever 
he  referred  to  the  worshippers  in  St.  Philip's  his  words 
showed  that  he  appreciated  their  intelligence  as  much  as 
they  appreciated  his  instructive  sermons.  After  he  had 
served  them  for  a  year  he  was  appointed  a  Chaplain  in  the 
United  States  Navy. 

Missioner  Aitken,  in  his  sermon  on  the  "  Golden  Image," 
which  Nebuchadnezzar  set  up  to  be  worshipped,  related  an 
incident  showing  how  a  mental  glance  at  a  colored  man's 
gold  changed  a  white  man's  views  respecting  his  sable  skin. 
Some  time  ago  the  deacon  of  a  church  conducted  a  colored 
man  to  a  vacant  seat  in  a  rich  man's  pew.  After  the  ser- 
vice he  addressed  the  deacon  in  a  tone  of  dissatisfaction, 
and  asked  :  "  Why  did  you  put  that  black  nigger  into  my 
pew  ?"  The  deacon  answered  :  "  That  colored  gentleman, 
sir,  is  worth  fifty  thousand  dollars  !"  The  mention  of  the 
gold  the  colored  man  possessed  caused  the  sable  hue  of  his 
skin  instantly  to  change  into  that  of  a  white  man,  with  a 
slightly  dark  complexion.  "  Introduce  me  at  once,"  said 
the  owner  of  the  pew,  "  to  the  colored  gentleman  who  sat 
so  near  to  me  during  the  service  !" 

"  God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  that 
dwell  on  the  face  of  the  earth."  Because  He  is  no  respecter 
of  persons,  just  so  soon  as  the  treasurer  of  Candace  believed 
that  "  Jesus  is  the  Christ,"  Philip  baptized  him  in  the  name 
of  the  Holy  Trinity  as  gladly  as  if  he  had  been  the  Roman 
Emperor. 

THE    ADVENT    MISSION    FOR    SEAMEN. 

The  Missionaries  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
Society  for  Seamen  in  the  city  and  port  of  New  York  are 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Walker,  Maguire,  and  Hyland,  who  at  in 
and  outdoor  services  minister  to  many  thousands  of  sailors 
and   others  annually.     The   Advent    Mission    services    for 


THE  MISSION  IX  ST.  PHILIP'S  CHURCH.  557 

those  who  do  business  on  the  great  waters  were  held  at  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Comforter,  the  Seamen's  Church  on 
West  Street.  The  Rev.  W.  R.  Jenvey  preached  the  mis- 
sion sermons,  and  the  Rev.  T.  A.  Hyland,  the  regular 
pastor,  conducted  the  after-meetings.  Many  who  attended 
the  services  had  not  entered  any  place  of  worship  for  many 
years.  At  this  mission  the  clergy  received  from  those  who 
desired  special  blessings  their  requests  in  writing  ;  and 
also  prayed  for  those  who  stood  up  and  publicly  confessed 
that  they  were  sinners,  and  asked  that  prayers  be  offered 
that  God  would  forgive  all  their  sins  and  fill  their  souls 
with  love  and  peace.  The  singing  by  those  accustomed  to 
use  their  voices  lustily  in  the  open  air,  when  their  hearts 
were  moved,  was  so  fervent  that  the  united  praises  would 
have  made  a  large  cathedral  re-echo  the  swelling  volume 
of  hearty  tones.  God  graciously  blessed  this  mission  to 
seamen. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  for  many  years  has  done  faithful 
service,  and  is  still  enthusiastic.  His  Bethel  is  more  suit- 
able for  our  services  than  are  many  country  parish  churches. 
In  connection  with  the  Seamen's  Mission  are  reading- 
rooms,  in  which  they  can  spend  a  profitable  and  pleasant 
evening  in  social  converse  with  the  Missionary,  or  read,  or 
sing,  or  pray. 

Included  among  the  Missioners  to  seamen  is  the  Rev.  I. 
Maguire,  who  for  several  years,  Sunday  after  Sunday,  has 
lifted  up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet.  Faithfully  he  warns  the 
unregenerate  and  impenitent  ;  wisely  he  instructs  the  gain- 
sayer  ;  and  affectionately  he  invites  the  penitent,  saying  : 
"  Come  to  the  Gospel  festival  !  All  things  are  now  ready  ! 
There  is  room  for  whosoever  will  accept  the  gracious  invi- 
tation !     There  is  abundant  provision  for  each  and  for  all  ! 

"  '  Come  thou  to  the  Gospel  feast, 
Let  every  soul  be  Jesus'  guest.'  " 


558  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

In  the  year  1885,  490  persons  attended  the  indoor  ser- 
vices ;  5885  were  present  at  the  open-air  services  at  Coenties 
Slip.  During  the  same  period  there  were  10,872  visits  to 
the  Seamen's  Reading-Room.  On  various  crafts  in  New 
York,  Brooklyn,  and  New  Jersey  the  Missionary  held  ser- 
vices, as  time  and  opportunity  offered.  A  brief  extract 
from  his  report  for  1885  illustrates  the  usefulness  of  his 
mission  : 

16  We  do  not  rely  upon  mere  numbers  as  evidence  of  the 
success  of  our  work.  The  preaching  of  the  truth  has  had 
its  benign  influence  upon  the  hearts  and  lives  of  many  who 
gathered  with  us  at  these  services.  Some  who  accepted 
the  overtures  of  the  Gospel  have  abandoned  their  sinful 
and  degrading  habits  and  modes  of  life,  and  are  now  living 
in  the  enjoyment  of  conscious  peace  and  pardon,  through 
faith  in  the  atoning  sacrifice  of  the  Son  of  God. 

"  The  services,  which  were  held  in  the  mission  room  on 
Sunday  mornings  and  afternoons,  when  the  weather  was 
too  cold  or  stormy  to  go  outside,  were  attended  by  five 
hundred  persons  during  the  winter  and  spring.  Here  also 
your  Missionary  has  been  privileged  to  address  the  men  of 
the  sea  upon  the  most  important  subjects  that  can  engage 
the  thoughts  and  consideration  of  immortal  beings.  He 
has  endeavored  to  impress  upon  them  their  responsibility 
to  God  as  their  Creator  and  Judge,  and  the  irrevocable 
and  eternal  consequences  dependent  upon  their  acceptance 
or  rejection  of  the  message  of  salvation.  Judging  by 
reports  that  were  made  to  your  Missionary  and  to  others, 
by  some  who  were  present  at  these  services,  the  Word 'of 
God  was  brought  home  with  power  and  demonstration  to 
their  hearts. 

"  One  is  now  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  the  glory  of  God, 
and  a  living  monument  of  His  grace.  What  good  may  be 
effected  by  the  conversion  of  one  such  is  best  illustrated  by 


THE  MISSION  IN  ST.  PHILIP'S  CHURCH.  559 

the  case  of  an  English  sailor  who  attended  these  services 
three  years  ago.  Under  the  ministry  of  the  writer  he  was 
at  that  time  converted  to  God.  Before  sailing  for  South 
America  he  received  a  Bible,  a  '  Sailors'  Manual  of  Devo- 
tions,' and  a  copy  of  the  '  Churches  of  Ancient  Britain.' 
He  lent  the  books  to  two  Roman  Catholic  shipmates  who 
sailed  with  him  on  one  voyage.  The  reading  and  perusal 
of  these  books,  especially  the  Bible  and  '  Churches  of 
Ancient  Britain,"  were  blest  by  God  to  the  salvation  of 
their  souls,  and  their  conversion  to  the  Church  of  England. 
At  the  time  that  he  had  parted  from  them  they  were  faith- 
ful and  fearless  witnesses,  so  far  as  they  knew,  of  the  great 
truths  held  in  common  by  all  believers  in  Christ.  The 
man  who  related  this  remarkable  incident  to  your  Mis- 
sionary lived  an  exemplary  and  consistent  Christian  life 
since  his  conversion,  and  he  was  truly  pleased  when  per- 
mitted to  return  to  New  York  last  winter  to  kneel  in  prayer 
and  offer  thanks  to  his  Heavenly  Father  in  the  very  room 
where,  three  years  before,  he  was  persuaded  to  surrender 
his  heart  and  soul  to  God.  While  his  vessel  lay  at  Pier  7, 
East  River,  he  was  never  absent  from  the  mission  room  on 
Sunday  morning,  afternoon  or  evening,  except  when  his 
duties  on  shipboard  prevented  his  attendance.  He  sailed 
from  this  port  about  three  weeks  ago.  Before  leaving  he 
called  for  a  package  of  books  and  papers  which  was  made 
up  for  him  by  the  sexton.  He  thanked  your  Missionary 
with  tears  in  his  eyes  for  the  sympathy  and  kindness  which 
he  had  received,  and  firmly  resolved  to  spend  the  rest  of 
his  life  as  he  had  the  three  years  last  past.  No  one  can 
tell  the  amount  of  good  that  is  accomplished  by  the  books 
distributed  at  this  and  the  other  stations  of  the  society." 

Some  time  ago  the  author  accompanied  Mr.  Thomas 
Whittaker,  one  of  the  Board  of  Managers,  to  the  open-air 
service  at  Coenties  Slip.     They  there  heard  the  Missioner's 


560  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

earnest  words   and  saw  the  deep  attention  of  his  auditors, 
and  can  speak  favorably  of  his  faithfulness. 

FATHER    REMINGTON'S    STREET    MISSION. 

Another  earnest  Missioner  to  people  in  the  streets  who 
attend  no  place  of  worship  is  the  Rev.  E.  F.  Remington, 
of  Brooklyn.  Year  after  year  he  has  preached  on  Sundays 
in  different  parts  of  the  city  where  the  poor  congregate. 
Nearly  every  Sunday  afternoon  he  uses  for  a  pulpit  the 
steps  of  the  City  Hall.  At  the  commencement  of  his  ser- 
vice his  audience  is  small.  But  the  voices  of  his  singers 
can  be  heard  at  a  distance,  and  the  familiar  tunes  allure 
people  to  approach  nearer.  His  style  is  original,  his  illus- 
trations are  appropriate,  and  his  voice  is  very  loud.  His 
native  quaintness,  combined  with  more  favorable  charac- 
teristics, have  made  him  acceptable  to  the  thousands  who 
have  heard  him  lift  up  his  voice  like  a  trumpet  in  setting 
forth  some  of  the  facts,  precepts,  threatenings,  or  promises 
of  the  Gospel.  Occasionally  other  ministers  assist  him, 
and  for  the  benefit  of  persons  who  were  not  present  at  the 
commencement  of  the  services,  successive  addresses  are 
made.  Generally  the  audiences  are  orderly,  but  occa- 
sionally there  is  some  interruption.  But  the  preacher's 
ready  wit,  combined  with  kindness,  soon  secures  attention. 
The  question  has  been  asked  :  "  As  at  the  outdoor  Gospel 
services  'bread  is  cast  upon  the  waters,'  who  will  affirm 
that  after  many  days  it  will  not  appear?"  Father  Rem- 
ington is  much  appreciated  by  the  people  at  St.  Mark's 
Memorial  Chapel,  and  when  he  preaches  more  than  usual 
are  present ;  and  the  minister  in  charge  "  is  glad  to  have 
it  so." 


MISSION  IN  THE  CIH'KCII  OF  THE  HOI.  Y  TRINITY.    561 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

THE    MISSION    IN    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    TRINITY, 
HARLEM. 

The  Missioner  s  Style — Large  Congregations — Sinners  Converted 
—  The  Rector  s  Sermon — Results  of  the  Mission — Style  of  the 
Rector, 

The  Missioner  at  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Har- 
lem, was  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Du  Vernet.  At  this  mission  the 
still,  small  voice  of  the  Spirit  of  God  was  heard  in  many 
hearts,  and  His  gracious  influence  was  manifest  in  all  the 
services.  The  holy  solemnity  of  the  congregations,  the 
evident  heart-searching  among  professing  Christians,  the 
melting  of  many  under  the  quiet  but  fervent  preaching  of 
the  Missioner,  the  numerous  requests  for  prayer  daily  pre- 
sented, the  longing  after  holiness  which  many  of  these 
breathe,  and  the  whole  tone  of  things — all  gave  clear  evi- 
dence that  the  prayers  offered  so  long  had  not  been  in 
vain. 

On  Sundays  the  church  was  packed,  and  the  services 
during  the  week  were  well  attended.  At  the  daily  chil- 
dren's service  they  were  addressed  by  Miss  Sybil  Carter, 
and  were  both  interested  and  profited.  At  most  of  the 
mission  services  in  the  evening  the  church  was  thronged, 
and  the  body  of  it  packed.  A  deep  and  solemn  stillness 
prevailed,  especially  during  silent  prayer.  Not  seldom 
suppressed  sobs  escaped  even  from  men.  The  Mis- 
sioner's  sermons  were  very   simple,  but  clear  and  strong. 


562  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

His  manner  is  very  quiet,  and  his  earnestness  intense. 
Hundreds  who  were  present  had  never  been  seen  in  the 
Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity  before.  All  classes  of  people 
were  represented—the  very  poor,  as  well  as  the  very  rich. 
Nightly,  about  seven  o'clock,  the  Rector  started  some 
young  men  to  go  out  in  the  street  and  distribute  bills  in 
person,  and  to  address  individuals,  especially  the  laboring 
class,  and  persuade  them  to  come  into  the  church.  Among 
those  who  remained  in  the  church  for  personal  conversation 
were  some  striking  cases  of  conversion,  or  reclaiming  of 
backsliders.  One  was  that  of  a  man  who  was  meditating 
suicide  when  he  was  invited  by  a  lady  to  ''  come  in."  He 
felt  the  power  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  is  rejoicing  in  hope. 

THE    RECTOR'S    SERMON    OX    THE    RESULTS    OF     THE    ADVENT 
MISSION 

was  preached  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Harlem, 
Sunday,  December  20th.  Its  text  was  St.  John  1  :  22,  23, 
and  its  introduction  a  comparison  between  the  mission  of 
John  the  Baptist  in  the  wilderness  of  Judea  and  the  Advent 
Mission  in  New  York  City.  The  first  division  set  forth  that 
the  clergy  who  took  part  therein  had  locked  their  party 
differences  in  the  cabinet  where  church  curiosities  are  kept, 
and  silenced  their  shibboleths.  They  worked  harmoni- 
ously, and  seemed  to  breathe  the  aroma  of  Pentecost. 
Christians  of  different  denominations  prayed,  and  praised 
and  worked  with  Missioners  and  Rectors  ;  and  the  religious 
press  published  articles  to  facilitate  the  object  of  the  mis- 
sion. Barriers  were  broken  down,  and  all  faithful  people 
recognized  as  members  of  Christ's  mystical  body.  Differ- 
ences were  not  obliterated,  but  recognized  as  "  the  diver- 
sities of  operation  of  the  one  and  selfsame  spirit."  The 
Doctor  compared  them  to  the  different  regiments  of  an 
army,  but  who  assemble  as  one  to  face  the  enemy  ;  also  to 


MISS/ON  IX  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  I/O/.  V  TRINITY.    563 


the  differently  located  pipes  of  a  great  organ,  but  all 
sounding  in  union  in  the  grand  diapason.  The  mission 
had  also  developed  the  unity  of  humanity.  How  often  at 
the  noonday  mission  in  Trinity  Church  Missioner  Aitken 
commenced  his  appeals,  saying  :  "  Oh,  my  brothers,  my 
brothers  !"  The  bond  of  brotherhood  was  recognized,  and 
the  desire  to  do  what  is  right  and  fill  the  place  God  allotted 
us  to  fill  is  brotherhood  indeed. 

LIKE    JOHN    BAPTIST,    THE    MISSION    VOICE    CRIED  \ 

"  Repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand  !" 
And  repentance  began  at  the  house  of  God.  The  Doctor 
showed  that  the  Lord  has  visited  His  temple,  searching 
hearts,  and  purifying  lives.  The  voice  of  His  Word  has 
spoken,  saying  :  "  I  know  thy  works.  He  that  hath  an 
ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches." 
Some,  like  the  Church  of  Smyrna,  have  not  heard  rebuke, 
but  words  of  consolation.  Others,  like  the  Church  of 
Philippi,  had  kept  the  faith  and  not  denied  Christ's  name  ; 
heard  the  promise,  "  I  will  keep  thee,"  etc.  Others,  like 
the  Church  of  Ephesus,  had  left  their  first  love  ;  and  not  a 
few  had  heard  the  voice  of  rebuke.  Like  the  Church  of 
Pergamos,  others  heard  :  "  I  have  a  few  things  against 
thee  ;  repent,  or  I  will  fight  against  thee  !"  etc.  Some,  like 
the  Church  of  Sardis,  had  a  name  that  they  lived,  but  were 
dead  ;  and  heard  the  warning  :  "  Watch,  or  I  will  come 
upon  thee  suddenly  !"  Like  the  Laodiceans,  some  were 
neither  cold  nor  hot,  and  threatened  with  expulsion,  etc. 
During  the  mission  the  voice  of  Him  whose  eyes  are  pene- 
trating as  a  flame  of  fire  had  been  rebuking  hypocrites, 
calling  home  backsliders,  warning  formalists,  encouraging 
weaklings,  arousing  the  half-hearted,  loudly  spoken  to 
others,  and  dead  souls  had  been  awakened. 


564  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


BRIEF    EXTRACTS    READ    FROM    LETTERS, 

confessing  shortcomings,  and  acknowledging  blessings 
received  through  the  mission,  were  heart-touching  testi- 
monies that  some  of  the  lukewarm  had  become  fervent  ; 
the  doubting  to  fully  trust  Christ  ;  some  afar  off  were 
drawn  near  and  saw  His  loveliness  ;  languid  souls  were 
strenghtened,  and  some  long  in  darkness  saw  the  light  of 
life.  The  writers  of  numerous  letters,  from  a  few  of  which 
short  extracts  were  read,  had  all  received,  through  the 
mission,  a  specific  blessing,  and  to  all  such  the  Rector 
spake  words  of  affectionate  counsel  :  (a)  To  carry  out 
their  resolutions  to  consecrate  themselves  to  God's  service. 
(b)  To  control  bad  temper,  avoid  evil  speaking,  and,  what- 
ever their  besetting  sin,  to  cut  it  off  and  trample  it  under 
foot,  (c)  To  make  a  full  surrender  of  body  and  soul  and 
spirit  to  God,  and  to  let  nothing  stand  between  them  and 
their  Saviour,  {d)  To  read  the  Bible  and  erect  a  shrine  of 
prayer,  and  to  let  the  light  that  had  shone  on  their  own 
souls  brighten  their  home,  (e)  To  work  while  it  is  called 
to-day,  and  widen  their  sympathy  by  going  forth  to  save 
the  lost  and  glorify  the  Master.  The  preacher  referred  to 
a  little  child  who  held  up  a  flower  and  exclaimed  :  "  Oh, 
look  at  this  withered  bud,  that  the  water  did  not  reach  \" 
In  a  sad  tone  he  said  :  "  A  shower  of  grace  has  fallen  on 
this  garden  ;  but  it  has  not  reached  some  because  they 
allowed  the  thorns  of  this  world  to  overshadow  them. 
They  heeded  not  the  voice  of  the  mission,  and  received 
none  of  the  precious  drops  of  blessing,  that,  through 
God's  blessing,  had  rested  on  so  many." 

The  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Harlem,  for  years  has 
been  a  "  living  church,"  and  the  mission  therein  greatly 
cheered  the  Rector.  Included  in  the  results  of  the.  Advent 
Mission  are  :  A  marked  awakening  of  zeal  and  earnestness 


MISSION  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  IIOL  Y  TRINITY.    566 

among  the  regular  attendants  ;  many  communicants  long- 
ing for  closer  communion  with  God  ;  not  a  few  backsliders 
have  been  restored  ;  and  the  new  converts  keep  their  faces 
Zionward.  To  conserve  the  mission's  good  results,  and 
keep  alive  the  spirit  of  fervor  and  activity  enkindled,  and 
further  extend  its  influence,  is  the  specific  design  of  the 
various  co-operative  parochial  agencies.  An  account  of 
the  mission  and  the  Rector's  impression  of  its  results  were 
published  under  his  own  signature  in  the  New  York  Church- 
man. Space  in  "  The  Church  Revived  "  will  permit  but  a 
short  extract  : 

"  The  entire  absence  of  excitement  and  noisy  demonstra- 
tion of  feeling  was  very  noticeable.  It  was  not  the  '  earth- 
quake' or  '  the  storm  '  which  one  heard  in  these  services, 
but  the  '  still,  small  voice  '  of  God's  Holy  Spirit.  The 
apostolic  fervor  of  the  Missioner  produced  a  deep  impres- 
sion upon  the  entire  congregation,  but  it  exhibited  itself  in 
the  stillness  which  pervaded  the  building  and  the  serious- 
ness which  was  manifest  in  the  faces  of  the  listeners.  The 
periods  of  silent  prayer  were  most  impressive.  It  was  then 
that  the  Spirit  seemed  to  be  doing  His  deepest  work,  while 
every  head  was  bowed  in  silence,  if  not  in  prayer,  and  the 
truth  spoken  to  the  ear  was  sinking  into  the  heart.  The 
Missioner' s  reliance  was  not  placed  in  any  artificial  forcing 
process,  but  in  that  reasonable  and  scriptural  method  de- 
scribed by  the  apostle — '  by  manifestation  of  the  truth, 
commending  ourselves  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God.'  To  quote  the  language  of  an  observer  : 
4  There  was  no  extravagance,  no  sentimentality,  no  sensa- 
tionalism. Reliance  for  the  success  of  the  mission  in  bring- 
ing souls  to  Christ  was  not  on  new  methods  and  irregular 
efforts,  not  on  oratory  and  eloquence,  but  on  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.'  " 


/ 


566  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


A    SKETCH    OF    THE    RECTOR. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  McKim  is  nearly  six  feet  in  height,  but 
not  of  robust  frame.  His  hair  and  eyes  are  dark,  but  his 
whiskers  are  whitening.  His  temperament  is  active,  and 
his  general  manner  cordial.  He  has  a  musical  voice,  of 
good  compass,  preaches  deliberately,  articulates  distinctly, 
and  the  prevailing  tone  is  very  reverential.  He  is  an  inter- 
esting platform  speaker  ;  and,  without  reading  his  speech 
or  his  sermon,  with  great  self-possession  he  unfolds  his 
subject,  and  does  not  wander  from  it.  He  is  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  Church  Temperance  Society  ;  and,  when 
advocating  its  claims,  he  makes  a  good  impression,  just  as 
when  in  the  pulpit  he  preaches  a  sermon.  His  congrega- 
tion is  already  large,  and  persons  of  social  and  commercial 
influence  are  among  its  members. 

The  Doctor  conducted  the  mission  in  the  chapel  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  The  results  were  very 
encouraging,  and  favorable  accounts  of  the  mission  have 
appeared  in  several  church  papers.  See  "  The  Church  Re- 
vived," Part  V.,  Ch.  XXXIX. 


MISSION  IN  ST.  MARK'S  MEMORIAL  CHAPEL.       567 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE    MISSION    IN    ST.    MARK'S    MEMORIAL    CHAPEL. 

The  Mission  Preachers — The  Serpent  of  Intemperance — Reuben 's 
Instability — Address  by  the  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan — The 
Address  by  Mr.  Faure — The  Children  Happy — "  True  In- 
wardness, 

The  Rev.  J.  E.  Johnson  was  fortunate  in  securing  as 
Missioners  to  the  children  the  Rev.  Robert  Newton,  D.D., 
of  Philadelphia,  and  his  son,  the  Rev.  Wilberforce  Newton, 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  for  each  is  eminent  as  a  preacher  to  the 
young,  and  their  interesting  sermons  have  benefited  adults. 
The  father's  numerous  volumes  of  sermons  to  children 
have  been  translated  into  various  languages,  and  interested 
the  young  folks  of  distant  lands.  He  is  now  advanced  in 
years,  but  is  ';  the  old  man  eloquent,"  full  of  fervor  ;  and, 
speaking  from  a  warm  heart,  he  makes  cold  hearts  feel. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  children's  mission  on  Sunday 
evening,  November  29th,  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  E.  G.  Remington,  of  open-air-service  celebrity.  His 
theme  was  "  The  Perils  of  Youth  in  Large  Cities  ;"  and  he 
deeply  interested  the  large  delegation  of  children  who  were 
present  from  St.  Mark's  Parish  and  Mission  Sunday- 
schools  and  a  large  number  of  adults.  All  the  seats  in  the 
body  of  the  chapel  and  in  the  gallery  were  filled,  and 
many  persons  stood  during  the  entire  service.  An  over- 
flow meeting  of  over  two  hundred  children  was  held  in  the 
day-school  room,  and  conducted  by  William   King,  Esq., 


568  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

and  Mr.  Faure.  It  was  ascertained  that  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  children  present  had  hitherto  been  under  no  . 
religious  influence.  To  reach  many  of  this  class  who  live 
in  the  vicinity  of  Tompkins  Square  and  Avenue  A  was 
the  design  of  this  mission  to  children,  and  the  prospect  of 
its  accomplishment  encouraging.  The  services  during  the 
week  were  also  well  attended. 

After  the  Liturgical  service  the  hearty  singing  by  the 
children  and  adults,  who  filled  every  seat  and  the  chancel 
steps,  the  patriarch  children's  preacher,  Dr.  R.  Newton, 
entered  the  pulpit,  announced  his  text,  and  then  inquired  : 
"  What  is  it?"  The  children  answered  :  "  At  last,  it  biteth 
like  a  serpent,  and  stingeth  like  an  adder  !"  In  mellow 
tones  he  stated  that  the  serpent's  bite  is  deadly  ;  but,  while 
serpents  are  to  be  found  only  in  certain  countries,  the  ser- 
pent of  intemperance  abounds  everywhere,  and  announced 
as  his  subject,  "  The  Inspired  Warning  against  Intemper- 
ance," and  showed,  first,  that  the  sting  of  this  serpent  is 
a  costly  sting.  When  he  had  illustrated  this  truth,  he 
asked  the  children  questions,  and  their  ready  answers 
showed  that  what  he  had  told  them  they  understood. 
They  all  then  stood  up  and  sung  a  verse  of  an  appropriate 
hymn.  The  preacher  then  showed  that  the  sting  of  the 
serpent  of  intemperance  is  an  injurious  sting,  and  related 
a  striking  illustration  and  catechized  the  children  on  this 
point.  After  another  verse  had  been  sung  he  announced 
the  next  division  of  his  sermon — viz.,  "  the  sting  of  intem- 
perance is  a  disgraceful  sting,"  gave  examples,  and  again 
questioned  the  children  and  received  their  ready  answers  ; 
and  thus  he  kept  all  wide-awake  and  deeply  impressed. 
Dr.  Newton,  like  Canon  Liddon,  of  St.  Paul's  Church, 
London,  had  his  manuscript  before  him,  but,  like  him,  did 
not  use  the  reading  tone,  but  preached  the  sermon. 

The  Rev.  Wilberforce  Newton  and  the  Rev.  Brockholst 


MISSION  IX  ST.  MARK'S  MEMORIAL  CHAPEL,       B69 

Morgan  conducted  the  services  at  the  overflow  meeting  held 
in  the  day-school  room.  All  the  seats  were  occupied,  and 
a  number  of  children  sat  on  the  edges  of  the  platform. 
The  Rev.  W.  Newton's  address  was  based  on  the  instability 
of  Reuben,  and  he  gave  three  reasons  showing  why  in- 
stability prevents  success  :  First,  the  unstable  has  no 
standard  or  pattern  to  go  by  ;  second,  an  unstable  person 
cannot  be  trusted  ;  and,  third,  an  unstable  person  has  no 
power  of  endurance.  Each  division  was  graphically  illus- 
trated, and  striking  examples  cited.  Respecting  the  last 
division,  he  showed  that  the  Duke  of  Wellington  and  his 
army,  and  General  Grant  and  his  soldiers,  gained  their 
victories,  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances, 
through  standing  firm.  He  described  an  unstable  minister 
who  left  one  parish  because  the  butter  to  be  had  was  not 
good  ;  another,  because  the  water  had  too  much  lime  in 
it  ;  another,  because  the  region  was  malarious  ;  another, 
because  Captain  Crook  worried  him  ;  and  after  he  had 
taken  his  sixth  pastorate  he  saw  there  was  a  Captain  Crook 
in  every  congregation,  and  it  would  be  useless  to  make  any 
more  changes  ;  he  must  get  along  with  Captain  Crook  as 
best  he  could.  During  the  whole  address  the  eyes  of  the 
children  sparkled  with  brightness.  The  speaker's  beaming 
face  and  sparkling  eyes  reminded  the  author  of  the  advice 
given  by  the  president  of  a  Methodist  conference,  who,  in 
an  address  to  several  young  men  who  had  just  been 
ordained,  said  :  "  Young  gentlemen,  in  your  pulpit  and 
pastoral  ministrations  never  wear  an  expression  of  coun- 
tenance that  would  drive  all  the  good-nature  out  of  a 
person  for  a  twelvemonth  just  to  take  a  look  at  you  !" 
J.  P.  Faure,  Esq.,  the  energetic  successor  of  James 
Hamilton,  Esq.,  who  for  many  years  was  the  efficient 
superintendent  of  St.  Mark's  Sunday-school,  also  made 
an   interesting  address  at  this  overflow  service.     The  Rev. 


570  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

W.  Newton,  in  his  address  on  Reuben's  instability,  had 
made  allusion  to  the  clock  behind  him,  which  had  stopped 
or  run  down.  After  the  address  by  Missioner  W.  New- 
ton, Mr.  Faure  related  that  years  ago  he  had  visited 
the  Mammoth  Cave  in  Kentucky,  and  also  made  a  trip 
to  several  large  cities,  and  sent  an  account  to  the  Rec- 
tor of  St.  Mark's,  which  he  read  to  the  children  of  the 
Sunday-school.  While  Mr.  Faure  was  addressing  a  school 
in  Chicago,  111.,  he  had  said  that  "  all  Sunday-school 
people  who  kept  alive  to  their  work,  whether  as  teachers 
or  scholars,  were  incited  to  do  so  by  the  motive  power  of 
God  the  Holy  Ghost.  When  at  a  distance  from  each  other 
they  may  be  likened  to  the  hands  of  a  clock,  the  hands  in 
this  instance  being  almost  a  thousand  miles  long,  but  all 
moving  around  one  common  centre." 

The  Rev.  Brockholst  Morgan,  who  for  five  years  arduously 
labored  as  Minister  of  St.  Mark's  Mission  Chapel,  and 
daily  watched  the  gradual  erection  of  the  present  Memorial 
Chapel,  and  who  has  a  talent  for  greatly  interesting  chil- 
dren, also  delivered  a  lively  address.  They  were  not 
taught  to  sing,  "I  want  to  be  an  angel,"'  for  most  chil- 
dren desire  to  have  the  free  use  of  their  arms  and  hands, 
and  to  remain  on  earth  for  the  present.  They  were  taught 
not  to  desire  to  belong  to  a  species  of  another  kind,  but  to 
be  young  soldiers  in  the  Saviour's  militant  army  ;  to  grow 
in  grace  as  they  grow  in  years,  and,  until  their  life's  end, 
to  continue  His  faithful  soldiers  and  servants  ;  in  order 
that  when  Christ  appears  as  the  King  of  kings,  with 
wingless  but  glorified  bodies  like  unto  their  Saviour's 
glorified  body,  they  may  reign  with  Him  forever  with  His 
Church  triumphant.  And  at  the  services  for  children 
earnest  prayer  was  offered  that  God  would  "strengthen 
them  to  live  innocent  lives,  to  defend  them  with  His 
heavenly  grace,  that  they  may  continue  His  forever,  and 


MISSION  IN  ST.  MARK'S  MEMORIAL  CHURCH.       571 


daily  increase  in  His  Holy  Spirit  until  they  come  into  His 
everlasting  kingdom.'' 

Only  those  will  be  able  to  stand  before  the  Omniscient 
Judge  who  have  faithfully  loved  and  served  Him.  Though 
the  ungodly  will  be  there,  they  will  quail  with  terror,  and 
have  no  lot  or  place  to  stand  on  the  glorified  inheritance 
into  which  He  will  welcome  those  who  on  earth  proved 
that  they  loved  Him  by  gladly  obeying  His  command- 
ments. So  Christ  Himself  taught,  and  no  one  has  ever 
returned  from  the  invisible  world  to  contradict  His  affirma- 
tions. The  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  minister  of  the  chapel,  is 
much  encouraged  by  the  interest  awakened  through  the 
mission  to  the  children.  Believing  that  the  lips  and  face 
express  what  the  heart  sincerely  feels,  in  closing  a  sermon 
in  the  Arch  Street  Opera  House,  Philadelphia,  on  "  True 
Inwardness,"  he  said  :  "  Let  us  beware,  then,  of  all  mere 
forms  and  pretences  ;  of  all  shams  and  frauds  of  every  sort. 
Beware  of  noise  ;  of  outwardness  ;  of  the  world.  Let  us 
be  true,  and  genuine,  and  honest.  How  many  of  us  would 
be  willing  to  be  seen  by  the  world  in  our  true  inwardness  ? 
We  are  thought  to  be  honest,  and  ynselfish,  and  pure  ; 
how  many  would  be  willing  to  cast  aside  the  outer  hulls 
and  coverings  and  stand  forth  in  the  soul's  nakedness  ? 
And  yet  there  is  One  who  thus  searches  us  and  knows  us. 
And  on  the  last  great  day  the  assembled  universe  will 
behold  us  as  we  are.  May  we  not  be  found  naked,  but 
clothed  upon,  clad  in  the  robes  of  Christ's  righteousness." 


572  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    MISSION    AT    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE    HOLY    APOSTLES. 

A  Description  of  the  Missioner — The  Tha?iksgiving  Sermon  — 
The  Parti  fig  Celebration — The  Farewell  Aj'ter-meeting — The 
After  Results  of  the  Mission — A  Cheering  Letter. 

Ox  Friday,  November  27th,  at  8  p.m.,  the  service  was 
held  for  the  reception  of  the  Missioner.  During  the  mis- 
sion three  services  were  held  daily.  On  Sunday  mornings 
the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated,  also  on  Tuesday, 
at  11  a.m.  ,  and  in  the  evening  after  the  thanksgiving  ser- 
vice. At  the  appointed  time  a  service  was  held  for  chil- 
dren, Christian  workers,  women,  and  young  people.  Mon- 
day, December  7th,  at  4  p.m.,  the  topic  of  the  address  was 
"  Decision  ;"  Tuesday,  at  the  same  hour,  an  "  Exhorta- 
tion on  the  Christian  Life." 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson,  the  Missioner,  from  the  Prov- 
ince of  Quebec,  is  a  man  of  great  earnestness  and  power,  a 
close  reasoner,  excellent  expositor,  and  at  the  same  time 
full  of  tenderness  and  love  for  souls,  and  persuasive  and 
edifying  to  a  super-eminent  degree.  The  congregations 
were  very  attentive.  The  services  were  short  and  crisp,  and 
the  singing  hearty.  The  rich  and  poor  met  together  in 
the  work  and  worship. 

At  the  evening  services  the  Missioner  preached  more 
especially  to  the  careless,  the  undecided,  the  unsaved,  and 
to  those  inquiring  :  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  Dif- 
ferent  Missioners  set   forth   the  same  appropriate  truths, 


MISSION  A  T  THE  C1ICRCII  OF  Til  J:  UOl.  Y  APOSTLES.  573 


but  based  on  other  tests,  and  multiformly  illustrated. 
Gospel  facts  and  precepts,  threatenings  and  promises,  by 
the  respective  Missioners,  were  more  or  less  emphasized. 
Topics,  made  specially  prominent,  included  the  enormity 
of  sin  ;  sin,  the  separator  from  communion  with  God  ;  true 
conviction  of  sin,  the  necessity  for  immediate  repentance  ; 
the  accompaniments  of  repentance  unto  life  ;  the  awful  risk 
of  deferring  repentance  ;  Christ's  crucifixion  the  Divine 
proof  that  sin  and  punishment  are  certainly  linked  ;  the 
Saviour's  death  and  resurrection  the  evidence  that  God, 
who  hates  sin,  loves  the  sinner  ;  the  claims  of  justice  satis- 
fied by  Christ's  sacrificial  death  ;  the  exalted  Saviour 
"  able  and  willing  to  save  to  the  uttermost  ;"  the  faith 
that  brings  salvation  ;  the  justification  of  the  unjust  an  act 
of  God's  sovereignty  ;  the  believer  freed  from  the  law's 
condemnation  ;  the  assurance  of  sins  forgiven  ;  the  solemn 
hour  of  death  ;  the  day  of  final  retribution  ;  heaven  and 
eternal  life  ;  hell  and  the  second  death,  etc.  The  sermons 
were  longer  than  those  usually  preached  by  Episcopal 
clergymen  ;  but  as  the  preceding  Liturgical  service  was 
short,  and  the  Missioners  preached  so  plainly  and  ear- 
nestly, and  pleaded  so  affectionately,  hearers  listened  with 
absorbed  attention,  and  their  moved  and  conflicting  emo- 
tions were  depicted  by  their  faces. 

THE    THANKSGIVING    SERVICE. 

At  the  closing  service  a  large  congregation  was  present, 
consisting  of  gray-haired  men  and  women,  a  number  in 
the  prime  of  life,  young  men  and  maidens,  and  a  few  boys 
and  girls.  All  behaved  with  due  reverence  throughout  the 
deeply  impressive  services.  The  first  hymn,  "  My  faith 
looks  up  to  Thee,"  was  led  by  the  organist  and  a  pre- 
centor ;  the  choir  was  the  whole  congregation,  who  sung 
with  spirit  and  fervor.     The  ante-communion  service  was 


574  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

said  by  the  assistant  minister.  The  Missioner  based  his 
sermon  on  the  last  verse  of  the  twelfth  chapter  of  the  Book 
of  Daniel  :  "  Thou  shalt  rest,  and  stand  in  thy  lot  at  the 
end  of  the  days."  In  a  few  sentences  he  explained  the 
principle  of  prophetical  interpretation  applicable  to  the 
chapter,  and  gave  a  condensed  summary  of  its  import,  and 
the  literal  import  of  the  text,  which  refers  to  the  first  resur- 
rection, when  they  who  have  turned  many  to  righteous- 
ness "  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament." 

PARTING    CELEBRATION    OF    THE    HOLY    COMMUNION. 

The  Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Backus,  who  looks  like  a  twin 
brother  of  the  Gospel  singer  Sankey,  read  in  a  sonorous 
voice  the  exhortations  and  the  consecration  service.  A 
large  number  partook  of  the  consecrated  elements,  and  as 
company  after  company  knelt  at  the  chancel  rail,  with  the 
exception  of  the  floral  tributes'  fragrance,  it  seemed  more 
like  the  festival  of  Easter  than  a  week-evening  celebration  ; 
and  "  we  praise  Thee,  we  bless  Thee,  we  glorify  Thee,"  in 
the  Gloria  Excelsis,  was  sung  by  all  with  ecstatic  and 
grateful  emphasis  and  fervor. 

THE    FAREWELL    AFTER-MEETING. 

As  at  each  previous  evening  mission  service,  after  the 
Benediction,  many  proceeded  to  the  adjoining  chapel. 
The  Missioner's  farewell  address,  thanking  them  for  their 
attendance  and  attention  at  the  different  services,  and 
assuring  them  that,  when  far  away,  he  would  often  think 
of  them  and  pray  for  them,  was  very  tender  in  tone  and 
touched  their  hearts.  After  the  hymn,  "  The  Gates  Ajar," 
he  said  the  Saviour  had  gone  to  prepare  a  place,  a  lot, 
an  apartment  for  them  in  His  Father's  many-mansioned 
house  ;  that  in  His  kingdom  would  be  different  degrees  of 
glory,  yet  each  would  shine  ;  and  the  more  they  enlarged 


MISSION  A  T  THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  APOSTLES.  576 

their  souls  by  love  to  God,  the  more  each  would  hold,  and 
that  each  would  overflow  with  bliss  unspeakable.  In  an 
extempore  prayer  the  Missioner  thanked  God  for  mercies 
vouchsafed  through  His  blessing  on  the  mission,  and  im- 
plored Him  to  grant  that  they  all  may  meet  again  in  the 
New  Jerusalem.  And  after  he  had  pronounced  the  Bene- 
diction of  peace,  the  large  number  tarried  till  he  had 
cordially  shaken  the  hand  of  each,  and  they  mutually  said, 
11  Farewell."  The  mission  was  very  instructive  in  its 
spirit,  and  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  people.  The  author 
received  from  the  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy 
Apostles  the  following  cheering  summary  of 

THE    RESULTS    OF    THE    MISSION  \ 

11  The  mission  to  our  parish  has  been  the  means  of  stirring 
up  the  people  to  greater  zeal  and  good  works  generally. 
Its  effects  are  seen  in  many  ways  :  in  increased  spiritual 
earnestness,  in  more  regular  attendance  upon  the  services 
of  the  Lord's  house,  in  more  liberal  gifts,  and  in  the  larger 
number  offering  themselves  for  work  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Women's  Missionary  Associa- 
tion, held  after  the  close  of  the  mission,  twenty-five  ladies 
at  once  offered  themselves  as  new  members  and  subscribers. 
A  weekly  service  is  now  held  on  Wednesday  evenings  on 
the  plan  of  the  mission,  and  is  highly  successful,  and  the 
attendance  and  interest  are  increasing.  Many  more  resi- 
dents in  the  neighborhood  attend  the  church  than  for- 
merly, especially  those  not  having  church  connections  else- 
where, and  who  at  some  time  have  been  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 

A  lady  parishioner  writes  of  the  mission  :  "  I  think  the 
Advent  Mission  has  been  a  spiritual  call  to  awaken  the 
drowsy  Christianity  of  the  day.     It  has  been  a  great  benefit 


176 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


to  me,  helping  me  to  pray  with  more  reverence,  to  be  more 
earnest,  and  to  keep  the  camp-fire  of  faith  burning  more 
brightly,  so  that  others  can  see  their  way  aright  in  the  sur- 
rounding darkness  of  doubt  and  scepticism.  I  thank  God 
that  I  was  able  to  go  to  the  meetings  and  to  be  a  hearer  of 
the  Word,  and  to  reap,  in  the  added  grace  and  strength  of 
the  Spirit,  the  harvest  of  such  a  privilege.  May  we  never 
forget  this  opportunity  of  the  divine  blessing  we  have  had, 
and  go  and  bring  forth  much  fruit  for  the  Master's  use  !" 

•'  Witness,  ye  men  and  angels  ;  now 

Before  the  Lord  we  speak  ; 
To  Him  we  make  our  solemn  vow, 

A  vow  we  dare  not  break  ; 
That,  long  as  life  itself  shall  last, 

Ourselves  to  Christ  we  yield  ; 
Nor  from  His  cause  will  we  depart, 

Or  ever  quit  the  field." 


SPECIAL  ADVENT  SERMONS,  577 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

SPECIAL    ADVENT    SERMONS    NOT    TERMED    A    MISSION. 

Why  did  not  Dr.  Dunne '11  have  a  Mission] — Visit  All  Saints' 
Churchy  Corner  of  Henry  and  Sea  m  me  I  I  Streets — Canon 
Wilberforce  Prostrated — Eminent  New  York  Re e tors — Their 
Advent  Sermons — St.  Chrysostoni  s  Chapel. 

In  some  of  the  mission  chapels  sustained  by  Trinity  Par- 
ish the  services  during  the  year  are  a  "  continuous  mis- 
sion." Rev.  William  N.  Dunnell,  D.D.,  Rector  of  All 
Saints'  Church,  from  Advent  to  Advent  devotedly  labors 
for  the  growth  in  grace  of  the  regenerate  and  the  rebirth 
of  the  unregenerate.  '  He  did  not  have  a  formal  "  Ad- 
vent Mission,''  because  his  people  could  not  meet  the 
travelling  expenses,  etc.,  of  an  eloquent  foreign  Mis- 
sioner,  nor  find  any  American  clergyman  who  was  able  to 
leave  his  church  to  aid  a  zealous  "  Catholic  Churchman." 
On  several  occasions  the  author  preached  special  sermons 
in  All  Saints'  Church,  where  the  fervor  of  the  Rector, 
and  choristers,  and  people  is  inspiring.  "At  some  fu- 
ture time  the  Rector  may  be  able  to  obtain  a  Missioner  to 
conduct  a  regular  mission."  The  Noonday  Mission  in 
"Old  Trinity"  is  evidence  that  the  Rev.  Drs.  Dix, 
Swope,  Mulcahey,  Douglass,  and  others  are  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  "  Parochial  Mission"  movement.  A  few 
years  ago  Canon  Knox  Little  held  noonday  services  for 
men  only  in  "  Old  Trinity,"  and  on  one  occasion,  after  the 


578  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

men  had  left  the  church,  it  was  soon  filled  with  "  women 
only,"  the  Missioner  excepted.  He  also  preached  to  a 
large  congregation  in  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  in 
Madison  Avenue,  and  to  a  large  congregation  in  St. 
George's  Church,  Stuyvesant  Square.  Had  it  been  prac- 
ticable for  the  New  York  Advent  Mission  Committee  to 
secure  the  services  of  the  eminent  English  Missioners, 
Canon  Wilberforce,  Father  Benson,  Canon  Knox  Lit- 
tle, George  Body,  and  others,  more  of  the  New  York 
churches  would  gladly  have  welcomed  them  to  preach 
to  all  who  would  obey  the  call,  "  Come  to  the  mis- 
sion !" 

The  Rev.  Canon  Wilberforce  intended  to  accept  the  invi- 
tation of  "  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,"  but  prostra- 
tion through  overwork  kept  him  in  "  Old  England."  The 
author  heard  him  about  two  years  ago  at  Dorking,  Surrey. 
Though,  like  his  renowned  father,  Bishop  Wilberforce, 
he  is  very  eloquent,  he  is  also  very  humble.  An  example 
of  his  modesty  :  Before  the  time  appointed  for  his  arrival 
at  Dorking  he  received  one  of  the  placards  announcing 
that  "  the  eloquent  Canon  Wilberforce,"  at  a  certain  date, 
would  "  deliver  an  oration."  He  at  once  wrote  to  the 
committee  that  if  the  objectionable  notice  should  not  be 
changed  he  would  feel  at  liberty  to  cancel  his  agreement. 
His  sincere  desire  was  complied  with.  At  the  time  ap- 
pointed  the  hall  was  uncomfortably  crowded.-  He  did, 
however,  "  deliver  an  oration"  that  was  full  of  instruction, 
and  pathos,  and  fervor.  His  soul  seemed  to  be  filled  with 
"  holy  fire,"  which  soon  enkindled  the  fervor  of  his  audi- 
ence. The  author  is  sorry  that  we  were  not  favored  with 
his  presence  at  the  New  York  Advent  Mission.  As  he  was 
providentially  detained,  some  said  :  "  The  Lord's  will  be 
done  ;"  but  on  this  side  of  the  ocean  all  did  not  passively 
say  :    "  Amen." 


SPECIAL  ADVENT  SERMONS.  579 

That  Trinity  Parish  is  not  asleep  is  evident.  The  free 
use  of  "  Old  Trinity"  was  granted  to  Missioner  Aitken, 
though  not  so  high  in  Churchmanship  ;  and  he  preached 
therein  for  three  weeks  at  noonday  without  "  let  or  hin- 
drance." And,  in  addition,  the  following  special  Advent 
sermons  were  preached  in  one  of  the  Tiinity  Church 
chapels.  St.  Chrysostom's  Chapel  is  part  of  Trinity  Par- 
ish, and  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  dense  population  of 
working  people,  at  the  corner  of  Thirty-ninth  Street  and 
Seventh  Avenue.  Its  doors  are  open  on  Sundays  and  on 
week-days.  Rich  and  poor  are  welcomed  to  its  public  ser- 
vices on  Sundays  ;  and  at  any  hour  during  the  week  any 
person  may  enter  to  hold  communion  with  God  through 
private  prayer.  The  seats  are  all  free  The  pastors  in 
charge  are  the  Rev.  T.  F.  Sill  and  the  Rev.  J.  R.  L.  Nis- 
bett.  There  was  not  an  "  Advent  Mission"  conducted  by 
a  Missioner,  but  special  sermons  were  preached  during  the 
season  of  Advent,  and  the  Holy  Communion  was  cele- 
brated daily  at  7  a.m.  The  pastors  issued  an  Advent 
Pastoral  to  the  people  of  St.  Chrysostom's  Chapel,  which 
closed  with  the  appeal  : 

"  Dear  brethren,  make  diligent  use  of  these  and  all  other 
spiritual  helps  which  the  Lord  in  His  providence  and  grace 
gives  us.  This  Advent  will  be  marked  throughout  our 
whole  city  by  increased  life  and  activity,  the  result,  as  it  is 
hoped,  of  the  first  great  Advent  Mission  of  our  Church  in 
this  city.  Let  us  pray  that  God's  blessing  may  rest  upon 
those  parishes  which  enter  into  the  mission,  and,  as  for 
ourselves,  let  us  use  well  all  our  own  privileges,  let  us 
increase  our  own  efforts  after  holiness,  let  us  attend  to  the 
duties  which  press  upon  us,  not  '  neglecting  the  assembling 
of  ourselves  together  '  at  the  daily  Eucharist  and  the  daily 
prayers,  and  on  the  Lord's  day,  being  especially  anxious 
as  to  our  sincerity,  devotion,  and  faithfulness.      May  God 


580 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


in  His  mercy,  through  Christ  Jesus,  stir  us  all  up  to  new- 
ness of  life  ! 

11  Affectionately  your  pastors, 

"  Thomas  Henry  Sill, 

"  J.    R.    L.    NlSBETT." 

The  special  Advent  sermons  were  preached  by  the  Rev. 
A.  H.  Warner,  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Beloved  Dis- 
ciple ;  the  Rev.  Morgan  Dix,  D.D.,  Rector  of  Trinity 
Parish  ;  the  Rev.  William  R.  Huntingdon,  D.D.,  Rector 
of  Grace  Church  ;  the  Rev.  A.  G.  Mortimer,  Rector  of  St. 
Mary's  Church,  Castleton,  S.  I.  ;  the  Rev.  F.  Lobdell, 
D.D.,  Rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Harlem  ;  the  Rev. 
S.  F.  Holmes,  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Mount  Vernon, 
N.  Y.,  and  the  Rev.  Amos  T.  Ashton,  Rector  of  Trinity 
Church,  Haverstraw,  N.  Y. 


THE    CHAPEL    OF    ST.    CHRYSOSTOM 

is  supported  by  Trinity  Church,  and-  is  characterized  by 
great  activity.  Its  working  and  beneficent  agencies  are  : 
The  Sunday-School  Teachers'  Association,  the  St.  Chry. 
sostom's  District  Visiting  Society,  the  Guild  of  St.  Chry- 
sostom,  the  Guild  of  St.  Agnes,  the  Altar  Society,  who 
have  the  care  of  the  sanctuary,  etc.  ;  Society  for  Making 
Improvements  in  Chapel  Buildings,  the  Gymnasium  and 
Billiard  Room,  St.  Chrysostom's  Chapel  Dispensary,  which 
includes  the  attending  physician,  who  visits  the  sick  at 
their  homes  ;  the  Guild  of  St.  Barnabas,  the  Guild  of  St. 
Cyprian,  the  Guild  of  St.  Margaret,  a  mutual  benefit 
society  for  women  ;  the  Prince  Glee  Club,  to  interest  those 
once  choir  boys  to  enter  as  tenors  and  bassos;  the  Women's 
Missionary  Society,  an  auxiliary  to  the  General  Board  of 
Missions  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  Guild  for  Inter- 


SPEC  1 ,11.  ADVENT  SERMONS.  681 


cessory  Prayers.  The  various  societies  co-operate  with  the 
pastors  in  charge,  give  the  members  benevolent  work  to 
do,  and  impart  aid  to  those  in  need,  comfort  to  those  in 
sorrow,  and  lead  to  Christ,  the  Light,  those  who  are  in 
moral  darkness. 


582  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

THE    NOONDAY    MISSION    IN    TRINITY    CHURCH. 

Subjects  of  the  Sermons — The  Snares  of  Commercial  Life — A 
Gambler  Suddenly  Converted —  The  Growing  Influence  of  the 
Services — The  Curious  Arts  of  Mammon — Bulling  and  Bear- 
ing—  The  Acco?nmodati?ig  Grocer. 

Several  months  ago  eminent  Bishops  and  Presbyters 
and  Laymen  assembled  in  Trinity  Church  to  celebrate  with 
thanksgiving,  prayers,  and  anthems  of  praise  the  centen- 
nial anniversary  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
United  States.  The  historical  sermon  sketched  her  infancy, 
slow  growth  and  progress,  increasing  strength  and  influ- 
ence, and  compared  what  she  once  was  with  what  she  is 
now. 

But  no  event  in  her  history  may  be  compared  with  the 
wonderful  degree  of  far-spreading  and  sympathetic  interest 
incited  by  the  Advent  Mission  in  New  York  Episcopal 
Churches  and  the  "  Noonday  Services  for  Business  Men,"  in 
Trinity  Church,  Broadway.  Shortly  before  noon  her  melo- 
dious bells  pealed  their  musical  signal  that  Missioner  Aitken 
would,  in  a  fewr  moments,  sound  faithful  warnings  to  busi- 
ness men  of  every  grade.  And  even  on  stormy  days  many 
members  of  stock  exchanges,  wholesale  and  retail  mer- 
chants, bankers  and  brokers,  insurance  men,  and  as  many 
clerks  as  could  be  spared  for  an  hour  from  offices  and 
stores,  filed  quickly  but  quietly  into  the  capacious  edifice. 
Before  Trinity's  clock  had   sounded  the  first  of  its  twelve 


THE  NOONDA  Y  MISSION  IN  TRINITY  CHURCH.     588 

vibrations,  in  every  part  of  the  church  all  the  pews  were 
filled,  many  stood  in  the  aisles  and  porticos,  and  others 
filled  the  space  behind  the  carved  screen  in  front  of  the 
large  organ  gallery.  While  the  Missioner  offered  a  brief 
prayer,  all  who  did  not  kneel  for  want  of  space  reverently 
bowed  forward,  and  two  thousand  voices  in  unison  said, 
"  Our  Father,  who  art  in  Heaven,"  whose  messenger  they 
had  assembled  to  hear. 

MISSIONER    AITKEN'S    SERIES    OF    SERMONS. 

The  first  week's  series — Monday,  "  Is  Life  Worth  Liv- 
ing ?"  Tuesday,  "A  Life  that  is  not  Worth  Living." 
Wednesday,  "A  Life  that  is  Worth  Living."  Thursday, 
"What  makes  Life  Worth  Living?"  Friday,  "How  to 
Live  a  Life  Worth  Living."  Saturday,  "  Purity."  Second 
week's  series — Monday,  "  The  Golden  Image."  Tuesday, 
"  Moral  Courage."  Wednesday,  "  Curious  Commercial 
Arts."  Thursday,  "  Nemesis."  Friday,  "  A  Look  to  the 
End."  Saturday,  "  Purity."  The  third  week's  series — 
Monday,  "  Snares  in  Commercial  Life."  Tuesday,  "  Other 
Snares  of  Commercial  Life."  Wednesday,  "The  Great 
Central  Fact — Christ  God  Incarnate."  Thursday,  "  The 
Gospel  of  Power."  Friday,  "  Contrasted  Closing  Scenes." 
The  subject  on  Monday,  December  14th,  was  Temperance, 
and  the  sermon  depicted  the  snares  to  which  men  exposed 
themselves  through  "  the  growing  habit  of  tippling." 
The  preacher  said  :  "  Is  it  always  easy  to  speak  the  truth 
plainly  when  you  know  it  will  give  offence  ?  Is  there  no 
temptation  to  grind  off  its  edge  in  order  to  suit  the  sensi- 
bilities of  important  members  of  your  congregation  ?  Try 
and  put  yourself  in  the  position  of  a  clergyman,  who  feels 
strongly  on  the  temperance  question,  and  mourns  over  the 
wholesale  destruction  of  his  flock  by  the  public  houses  of 
the  neighborhood,  and  who  is  supported  liberally  in  all  his 


584  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

parochial  churches  and  organizations  by  a  wealthy  brewer, 
who  sits  a  few  seats  from  the  pulpit.  Is  there  no  danger 
of  his  being  disposed  to  tone  down  the  severity  of  his  utter- 
ances on  the  temperance  question,  for  fear  he  should 
offend  the  owner  of  the  public  houses,  who  are  scattering 
death  and  destruction  broadcast  among  his  flock  ?"  On 
Tuesday,  the  15th,  the  Missioner  preached  on 

THE    SNARES    OF     COMMERCIAL    LIFE. 

The  sermon  was  based  on  1  Tim.  6  :  9,  10.  The  preacher 
set  forth  that  greed  for  riches  leads  to  gambling  ;  that 
gambling  leads  to  the  worst  forms  of  base  selfishness  ;  that 
at  "  gambling  hells  "  victims  are  robbed  of  all  they  pos- 
sess, and  their  families  deprived  of  food  and  comfortable 
shelter  ;  that  at  Continental  gambling  hells  suicide  is  of 
frequent  occurrence  ;  that  gambling  is  essentially  wrong  ; 
and  that,  to  gratify  cupidity,  gamblers  defy  God's  com- 
mand, "  Thou  shalt  not  covet,"  and  all  "  covetousness 
is  idolatry."  Only  God's  grace  can  lead  men  to  forsake 
the  gambling  table.  The  preacher  frankly  admitted  that 
commercial  speculation  is  not  essentially  wrong,  even  in 
a  Christian  man  ;  for  no  one  can  tell  whether  a  mine  will 
yield  wealth  or  swallow  all  that  a  man  possesses.  Stocks 
are  a  marketable  commodity  ;  and  a  broker  is  not  immoral 
if  he  buy  for  others  at  a  reasonable  profit,  but  is  like  an 
honest  storekeeper,  who  knows  what  profit  to  charge.  Not 
so  with  speculation.  Though  not  necessarily  an  act  of 
gambling,  the  speculator's  intense  desire  is  to  sell  at  a 
higher  rate  of  profit.  Yet  a  vast  amount  of  gambling  in 
various  stocks  is  done,  and  some  brokers  have  the  spirit  of 
a  gambler's  cupidity. 

According  to  the  text,  they  who  will  be  rich  ensnare 
themselves.  One  serious  consequence  is  that  the  plethora 
of  middle  men  who  manipulate  stocks  makes  the  market 


THE  NOONDA  V  MISSION  IN  TRINITY  CHURCH,     588 

unhealthy.  Some  of  them  cannot  do  manual  work  ;  deal- 
ing in  merchandise  is  uncertain  ;  and  they  are  not  adapted 
for  professional  life,  and  through  their  peculiar  modes  of 
doing  business  the  market  is  demoralized.  The  Christian 
man  asks  :  "  Where  can  I  most  likely  transact  my  business 
for  the  glory  of  God  Y'  The  man  who  purchases  when 
stocks  are  low  is  benefiting  the  community  by  preventing 
business  stagnation.  But  in  a  large  number  of  instances 
speculation  degenerates  into  a  species  of  commercial 
M  book-making,"  and  men,  carried  away  by  the  "  bulls  "  or 
"bears"  of  the  exchanges,  excited  by  rumors,  act  like 
gamblers  !  It  is  bad  to.  be  a  common  card-player,  but 
worse  to  be  a  commercial  card-sharper,  and  criminal  to 
take  advantage  of  an  excited  brother  broker.  "  How  would 
it  work  to  boycott  a  '  Bull  '  or  a  ■  Bear'  guilty  of  decep- 
tion, and  give  him  a  wide  berth  as  we  do  a  rabid  animal  ?" 
The  preacher  earnestly  entreated  the  business  men  pres- 
ent to  set  their  faces  against  such  abominable  and  in- 
famous tricks,  and  to  die  rather  than  to  become  engaged 
in  such  commercial  trickery.  Temptation  to  do  so  may 
be  strong  ;  and  so  are  the  temptations  to  commit  all 
sins.  If  a  man  makes  up  his  mind  to  be  rich,  unless  pos- 
sessed of  superior  moral  power  to  enable  him  to  resist 
temptation,  sooner  or  later  he  will  be  ensnared  ;  but 
through  divine  aid  a  man  may  escape  the  snares  of  riches. 
The  preacher  closed  his  very  plainly  spoken  sermon  by 
tenderly  exhorting  the  business  man  before  him  to  seek 
this  aid,  which  will  enable  him  to  keep  a  calm  head  amid 
commercial  fluctuations  and  excitement.  He  who  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  a  joint  heir  to  His  unsearchable  riches, 
can  afford  to  be  outstripped  by  competition  ;  life  to  him  is 
a  continuous  winning  ;  when  Mammon  tempts  he  can  say  : 
"  My  God  is  ever  to  be  trusted,  and  gives  me  something 
better."     Lay  hold  of  eternal  life  ;  for  no  man  ever  fought 


586  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  fight  of  faith  who  did  not  gain  the  victory.  The 
preacher  illustrated  the  power  of  God  to  suddenly  save  by 
referring  to 

A    GAMBLER    IN    MANCHESTER    CONVERTED    IN    A    MOMENT. 

Seeing  two  Christian  ladies  approaching  his  residence, 
he  swore  to  himself,  and  locked  the  door  of  his  room,  in 
order  to  avoid  them  ;  for  he  knew  the  object  of  their  visit, 
and  desired  not  to  again  listen  to  their  earnest  appeals  to 
reform.  He  seemed  to  hear  a  voice,  saying  :  "  How  long 
shall  I  bear  with  thee?"  Instantly  he  prayed  :  "  O  God, 
if  Thou  wilt  save  me,  save  me  now  !"  He  experienced  the 
power  of  the  new  life  in  Christ,  and  immediately  started  to 
settle  all  his  gambling  debts,  and  afterward  would  not 
even  touch  a  card  to  pass  with  any  friend  "  a  pleasant 
hour." 

Evangelist  Moody  was  among  the  ministers  who  were 
present  at  this  service  ;  and  at  the  daily  services  a  number 
of  clergymen  of  different  persuasions  mingled  with  the 
multitude  of  business  men.     Missioner  Aitken's  sermon  on 

THE    CURIOUS    ARTS    OF    THE    WORSHIPPERS    OF    MAMMON 

was  based  on  Acts  19  :  20,  which  describes  the  converted 
magicians  who  burned  their  costly  libraries  on  the  mys- 
teries of  Oriental  magic.  In  a  calm  tone  of  voice  the 
preacher  showed  that  ancient  idolators  offered  as  sacrifices 
to  their  chosen  idols  what  they  most  valued  ;  and  that  all 
had  their  mysteries  as  well  as  sacrifices  ;  and  to-day  all 
idolatries  have  both  sacrifices  and  mysteries.  In  a  louder 
tone  he  announced  as  the  theme  of  his  sermon  : 

THE    SACRIFICES    INTELLIGENT    MEN    OFFER    TO    THEIR 
GOLDEN    IDOL. 

They  include  (a)  strict  honesty,  {b)  a  good  conscience, 
(c)  self-respect,  (d)  their  souls  and  bodies.     Space  excludes 


THE  XOOXDA  V  MISSION  IN   TRINITY  CHURCH.     587 


the  preacher's  amplifications,  and  the  author  can  give  the 
reader  only  telegrams  condensed  from  paragraphs.  In  an 
increasing  volume  of  voice,  and  with  great  fervor,  the 
preacher  described  the  cunning  arts  and  curious  names  of 
the  mysteries  of  commerce.  Cicero  said  he  could  not  un- 
derstand how  two  soothsayers  could  meet  each  other  with- 
out laughing,  knowing  their  mutual  tricks  to  deceive  men. 
With  great  emphasis  the  preacher  said  :  "  This  is  as  true  of 
the  worshippers  of  Mammon  as  of  the  most  subtle  pagan 
priests  who  deceived  by  their  mysteries."  The  chicaneries 
of  Mammon's  priests  should  lead  them  to  despise  them- 
selves. They  talk  of  the  "  humbugs  of  religion  "  ;  but  the 
transactions  of  stock  exchanges  are  as  full  of  "  humbug  " 
as  ever  existed  among  magicians.  Their  curious  arts  have 
curious  names,  "  Bulls  and  Bears  "  ;  and  their  ritual  of 
worship  is  called  "  Bulling  and  Bearing  !" 

Mammon's  priests  delight  to  excite  untruthful  and  un- 
natural emotions  of  prosperity  ;  then,  by  curious  conjunc- 
tion, to  sink  the  worshippers  into  the  deepest  depression  ! 
Prices  must  vary  ;  but  whoever  makes  a  fortune  for  him- 
self by  ruining  other  men  has  a  fashionable  but  ungentle- 
manly  way  of  picking  pockets  !  The  tramp  does  a  brisk 
trade  in  pocket-handkerchiefs  and  watches  ;  and,  because 
he  is  a  poor  thief,  a  policeman  drags  him  to  a  place  of  safety 
in  a  cell  with  iron  doors.  But  "  the  thieving  priests  of 
Mammon  are  also  liars  !"  "So  far  as  any  broker  or  mer- 
chant is  a  liar,  he  is  not  a  true  business  man  ;  but  so  far 
as  he  deals  honestly  he  is  a  true  man  of  business."  To 
show  the  difference  between  commercial  ability  and 
rapacity,  the  preacher  now  uses  his  great  descriptive 
power,  and  depicts  two  different  business  men,  and  con- 
trasts their  opposite  modes  of  dealing.  The  one  throws 
dust  into  his  confiding  customer's  eyes,  and  is  skilled  in 
doing  a  very  large  business,  by  selling  what  has  a  name, 


588  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


but  no  existence.  The  other  is  a  most  obliging  tradesman  ; 
and,  that  his  customers  may  not  waste  their  money,  he 
pretends  to  sell  the  goods  they  want  "  below  cost.".  Even 
if  Mr.  Smith  can  undermine  the  business  of  Mr.  Jones  by 
the  actual  loss  of  money  now,  and  break  it  down,  after  Mr. 
Jones  shall  have  been  forced  into  bankruptcy,  then  Mr. 
Smith  can  regain  the  sum  he  lost  by  monopolizing  for  him- 
self all  the  trade  Mr.  Jones  once  had.  The  preacher  now 
emphatically  affirms  that  "  a  man  had  better  sweep  a  cross- 
ing to  earn  an  honest  living  than  to  be  a  rich  but  mean, 
plotting  thief." 

ACCOMMODATING    MERCHANTS. 

11  In  certain  stores,''  the  preacher  said,  "  the  same  article 
is  sold  at  six  different  prices  !"  To  illustrate  the  truthful- 
ness of  this  affirmation,  he  narrated  that  a  certain  tea- 
dealer  in  England  who  bought  all  his  tea  from  one  whole- 
sale merchant,  all  of  the  same  quality  and  price,  to  kindly 
provide  for  the  different  tastes  of  his  customers,  who  pre- 
ferred teas  of  various  flavors,  placed  samples  of  the  same 
tea  in  canisters  with  different  names,  and  samples  of  the 
same  in  his  shop-window,  with  the  names  and  prices.  One 
sample  was  marked  "  Young  Hyson,  four  shillings  per 
pound  ;"  another,  "  Souchong,  three-and-sixpence  per 
pound  ;"  another,  "  Mixed,  two-and-eightpence  per 
pound;"  another,  "  Bohea,  two  shillings  per  pound." 
Yet  he  bought  the  whole  at  one  shilling  and  eightpence 
per  pound,  and,  to  accommodate  his  customers,  gave  the 
same  kind  of  tea  various  names.  In  a  tone  of  commingling 
disgust  and  sorrow  and  awe  the  preacher  asks  :  "  How- 
must  such  necromantic  tricks  and  deeds  of  cunning  look  to 
Him  before  whom  we  must  all  stand  to  be  judged  accord- 
ing to  our  deeds  ?" 

"  When  the  Judge  His  seat  attaineth, 
Nothing  unavenged  remaineth." 


THE  NOONDA  Y  MISSION  IN  TRINITY  CIICRCII. 


THE    RESEMBLANCE    OF    tDOLATORS    TO    THEIR    IDOLS. 

The  courageous  Missioner  affirmed  that  as  idolators  are 
gradually  transformed  into  the  likeness  of  whatever  sinful 
idol  they  worship,  (a)  in  self-respect,  {b)  propriety,  (c) 
moral  courage,  their  character  deteriorates,  until,  like 
pagan  idolators,  they  become  both  degraded  and  polluted. 
In  an  imploring  tone  the  preacher  says  :  "  Men  of  busi- 
ness, will  you  choose  between  your  curious  arts  and  your 
soul's  welfare —between  God  and  Mammon?  Will  you 
choose  the  love  of  God  and  the  victor's  palm  or  the  hidden 
things  of  darkness  ?  The  magicians  burned  their  books, 
worth  about  £40,000,  but  they  did  not  regret  the  loss,  for 
they  knew  that  they  had  found  in  Christ  '  unsearchable 
riches.'  " 

In  a  tender  tone  the  preacher  referred  to  the  sudden 
death  of  Vanderbilt,  the  prince  of  wealth,  and  said  : 
'■  We  speak  only  of  the  good  of  the  dead.  You  can  never 
be  richer  than  he  !  If  his  gold  was  all  that  he  had,  then 
all  is  lost  !  If  wealth  is  all  that  any  of  you  can  gain,  you 
must  die  and  leave  it  all  !  Should  death  remove  you  to- 
night, can  you  say  :  '  I  have  a  treasure  death  cannot 
touch  '  ?" 

The  preacher,  roused  to  a  high  degree  of  earnestness, 
with  swelling  emotion  almost  choking  his  powers  of 
speech,  in  a  plaintive,  wailing  tone  beseeches  worship- 
pers of  Mammon  and  the  officiating  priests  to  forsake 
the  curious  arts  of  the  destroyer.  Hearts  are  moved,  strong 
men  tremble,  tears  dim  the  eyes  !  For  one  or  two  seconds 
the  preacher  is  speechless  ;  and  then,  with  words  of  love 
and  power,  he  closes  the  sermon,  not  intended  for  the  jug- 
glers of  India  or  Egypt.  Like  Jonah  and  John  the  Bap- 
tist, the  preacher's  mission  requires  him  to  speak  very 
plainly.     Each   minister,  like   St.    Paul,    should    pray    for 


590  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

grace    to    "  speak  boldly    as    he    ought    to    speak  ;"    and 
sing: 

"  Shall  I  for  fear  of  feeble  man, 
The  Spirit's  course  in  me  restrain? 
Or,  undismayed  in  deed  and  word, 
Be  a  true  witness  for  my  Lord  ? 
What,  then,  is  he  whose  scorn  I  dread, 
Whose  wrath  or  hate  makes  me  afraid  ? 
A  man — an  heir  of  death, 
A  slave  to  sin,  a  bubble  on  the  wave  !" 


MISSK  WER  .  1 1  TKEN*S  FARE  11  ELL  SERMON.         691 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

MISSIONER    AITKEN'S    FAREWELL    SERMON    IN    OLD    TRINITY. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.  —  The  Missioner  Grateful  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Dix — Going  in  Opposite  Directions — A  Prodigal 
Son — His  Painful  Confession — Appalling  Disclosures — The 
Audience  Deeply  Moved. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D  ,  is  in  the  chancel,  also 
the  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church  and  other  clergymen  ; 
'and  all  the  stalls  are  filled  with  laymen.  Missioner  Aitken 
is  in  the  pulpit,  and  all  the  pews  in  the  aisles  and  naves  are 
crowded,  as  are  also  the  entrances  and  the  porticos.  After 
the  thanksgiving  service  Bishop  Potter,  with  his  radiant 
face,  walks  to  the  centre  of  the  chancel,  and  in  melodious 
tones  delivers  an  address.  He  referred  to  the  great  bless- 
ing that  many  in  New  York  have  received  through  Mis- 
sioner Aitken's  faithful  ministrations,  and  his  own  personal 
regret  that  he  must  so  soon  leave  us.  As  an  expression  of 
appreciation  of  his  services,  the  Bishop  proposed  that  an 
offertory  be  made  and  presented  to  "  The  Church  of  Eng- 
land Parochial  Mission  Society,  of  which  the  Rev.  W.  Hay 
Aitken  is  the  President."  During  the  receiving  of  the 
offertory  the  whole  congregation  poured  forth  a  volume  of 
hearty  praise  ;  and  after  a  brief  prayer  Missioner  Aitken 
expressed  his  gratitude  to  the  Rector  and  clergy  of  Trinity 
Church  for  the  welcome  they  had  given  him,  and  for  the 
use  of  the  church. 

The   farewell   sermon   was  deeply   impressive,    and   was 


592  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

based  on  two  contrasting  texts — "  He  went  away  sorrow- 
ful" (St.  Matt.  19  :  22)  ;  "  He  went  on  his  way  rejoicing  " 
(Acts  8  :  39).  The  preacher  preached  as  if  possessed  of  the 
spirit  of  the  Prophet  Elijah.  As  he  spoke  of  the  moment 
of  parting  from  some  until  the  day  of  judgment,  and,  after 
the  day  of  final  destiny,  from  others  forever  and  ever,  his 
voice  was  tremulous  with  conflicting  emotions,  and  his  eyes 
were  suffused  with  tears.  He  depicted  the  contrast  be- 
tween the  decision  of  "  the  rich  young  man  "mentioned  in 
his  first  text,  and  that  of  the  sable  Ethiopian  mentioned  in 
his  second  text,  and  the  opposite  emotions  each  experi- 
enced as  they  went  different  ways,  showing  that  no  con- 
trasts are  sadder  than  those  in  the  spiritual  realm.  His 
face  brightens  as  he  describes  those  to  whom  the  noonday 
mission  would  be  the  "  savor  of  life  unto  life,"  but  is  the 
picture  of  sadness  as  he  depicts  the  future  of  others  to 
whom  his  preaching  will  be  "  the  savor  of  death  unto 
death,"  and  his  tone  is  a  subdued,  plaintive  wail  ;  and 
some  considered  stoical  cannot  restrain  their  tears.  Now 
he  prays,  "  O  God  forbid,  God  forbid,  that  the  outcome  of 
the  three  weeks'  services  should  result  in  your  refusal  to 
take  hold  of  the  mighty  hand  of  mercy  now  offering  to  lift 
you  above  yourself,  and  out  of  the  snares  of  the  devil  !" 
Now,  in  an  imploring  tone,  he  beseeches  his  hearers  to  de- 
cide to  fall  into  the  arms  of  the  Omnipotent  God,  and  to 
forsake  the  sins  which  are  damning  them  !  If  convinced 
that  Mammon  is  God,  decide  henceforth  to  follow  him.  If 
assured  that  Christ  is  God,  accept  and  follow  Him.  Don't 
hesitate,  but  decide  now.  Mercy  is  once  more  offered. 
Will  you  accept  it  ?  Say  yes  or  no  !  Are  you  willing  to 
accept  Divine  strength  now  that  will  enable  you  to  hence- 
forth face  the  contempt  of  men  and  dare  the  Devil  and 
reach  the  realms  of  bliss  ? 


MISS/ONER  AITKEN*S  FAREWELL  SKRMOX.         V.i:; 


THE    AUDIENCE    MOVED    BY    AWFUL    DISCLOSURE. 

Before  closing  his  sermon  the  Missioner  read  extracts 
from  a  letter  of  an  extraordinary  nature.  The  letter  is 
in  the  possession  of  the  author  of  "  The  Church  Revived," 
but  he  has  allowed  no  person  to  read  it,  lest  the  writing  be 
recognized,  which  might  embarrass  the  writer,  whose  rea- 
sons for  withholding  his  signature  is  contained  in  his  letter. 
The  following  extracts  might  be  useful  in  checking  the  evils 
specified  : 

"  New  York,  December  15,  1885. 

11  My  dear  Sir  :  In  your  sermon  of  Saturday  last  on  '  Purity  '  you 
properly  denounced.  .  .  .  The  extent  of  the  evil  is  apparent  in  ...  . 
Such  men,  however,  do  not  frequent  your  services.  But  the  mature  and 
elderly  commercial  men  among  your  hearers  deserve  your  biting  sarcasm 
and  your  burning  words  on  two  especial  points,  and  perhaps  of  easily  be- 
setting sins,  of  which  possibly  you  are  unaware.  One  is,  the  toleration 
of  so-called  .  .  .  stories  .  .  .  jokes,  and  profanity  in  their  presence  and 
hearing,  and  in  many  cases  the  repetition  of  such  stories  and  jokes  when 
it  can  be  done  sub  rosa  to  congenial  spirits,  though  careful  not  to  give 
their  author's  name.  This  frequently  in  the  presence  of  young  clerks, 
who  father  them  and  redistribute  them  with  avidity. 

"  The  '  clubs  '  are  reservoirs  of  this  sort  of  ...  ,  and  some  clubmen 
even  pride  themselves  of  their  memories  of  such  trash  or  their  skill  in 
inventing  fresh  blackguardisms.  A  new  story  quickly  has  the  run  of  the 
down-town  offices  and  counting-houses,  particularly  if  the  characters  in- 
troduced or  traduced  are  persons  of  social  or  political  importance.  If 
you  were  aware  of  the  prevalence  of  this  vice  you  would  certainly  rebuke 
it  as  it  deserves,  and  your  words  would  have  most  excellent  effect  on  hun- 
dreds of  merchants,  bankers,  and  brokers  who  have  listened  to  you  ;  and 
your  denunciations  would  be  most  efficacious  even  with  those  who  are 
not  strictly  religious  men. 

"The  other  sin  perhaps  I  can  best  describe  by  my  own  experience  : 
From  the  age  of  fifteen  years  to  thirty-seven  I  was  employed  as  clerk  and 
traveller  in  some  of  the  largest  wholesale  houses.  Such  houses  have 
connections  or  customers  in  all  the  large  cities  and  centres  of  trade  through 
this  broad  land.  The  customers  occasionally  or  periodically  visit  New 
York.     They  are  usually   men  of  middle  or  mature  age,  of  sound  com- 


m 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


mercial  standing,  and  frequently  of  social,  pecuniary,  or  political  (and 
even  Churchly)  consideration  in  their  several  localities.  When  they 
4  come  on  '  it  is  a  part  of  the  duties  of  the  young  scion  of  the  house  to 
'  entertain  '  them. 

"  The  entertainment  consists  usually  of  a  half  dozen  to  a  dozen  '  drinks  ' 
during  and  immediately  after  business  hours,  a  big  dinner,  with  neces- 
sary claret  or  champagne  ;  the  theatres  in  the  evening,  and  visits  to  '  fast 
houses'  afterward,  with  suppers,  dancing,  and  other  orgies  till  the  wee 
hours.  From  the  time  I  had  learned  '  the  ways  of  town  '  (say  twenty  to 
twenty-one  years)  until  I  was  married  at  thirty-seven  this  was  a  part  of 
my  '  duties.'  So  important  a  matter  was  it  considered,  that  in  one  house 
I  was  ordered  to  keep  $100  constantly  in  my  pocket  for  such  '  entertain- 
ment," and  in  another  house  the  cashier  was  directed  to  pay  me  whatever  I 
asked  for  without  question,  and  charge  it  to  the  '  advertising  account '  ! 
You  can  readily  imagine  what  disgraceful  scenes  a  young  man  must  wit- 
ness in  the  performance  of  such  a  line  of  duty  ;  and  my  astonishment  at 
first  to  know  that  men  of  high  respectability  in  their  own  homes  would 
come  to  New  York,  and  accept  or  look  for  such  sort  of  '  entertainment. 
Men  who  were  proverbially  close  and  mean  in  matter  of  trade,  sometimes 
penurious  in  family  matters,  would  throw  away  money  by  the  fifties  and 
hundreds.  .  .  .  This  man  had  in  his  own  city  given  $50,000  to  a  Pres- 
byterian Church,  $1000  to  an  Episcopal  Church,  and  $io,oco  more  to  a 
Methodist. 

"  Now,  the  mature  and  elderly  gentlemen  who  preside  over  our  great 
mercantile  establishments  presume  to  know  nothing  about  this  style  of 
entertainment  to  their  correspondents,  and  certainly  would  never  furnish 
it  themselves.  Yet  they  all  know  it  is  done,  and  are  willing  to  pay  well 
to  have  it  done,  finding  their  return  in  the  increased  business  brought  by 
the  young  salesman. 

"  The  results  upon  the  salesman  are  something  like  the  following  items 
of  my  own  personal  acquaintances  :  A.  A.,  now  about  forty-five  years  of 
age,  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  Lunatic  Asylum  ;  B.  B.  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
two  years  with  delirium  tremens,  four  children  paupers  ;  C.  C.  suicide 
at  thirty-eight,  in  California  ;  D.  D.  pensioner  at  fifty-seven  years,  $2 
per  week  in  '  the  house  '  ;  E.  E.  married  a  .  .  .  ,  and  died  ...  at  the  age 
of  forty-three  ;  F.  F.  broken-down  old  man,  doing  chores  for  a  bar- 
room ;  G.G.  had  lived  for  years  on  charity  of  a  maiden  sister — suicide 
last  month. 

"  Every  one  of  these  men  earned  over  $5000  a  year  as  salary.  So  you 
may  judge  that  they  were  the  very  flower  of  the  young  mercantile  men  of 


MISSIONER  AITKEN  S  FAREWELL  SERMON. 

these  days  ;  and  I  could  give  you  like  specimens  of  dozens  of  others  who 
were  industrious,  genial,  generous  young  men,  though  not  earning  so 
large  salaries,  gone  to  the  hospital,  the  almhouse,  the  grave  through  rum 
.  .  .  used  to  promote  the  success  of  'the  house.'  In  fact,  it  is  the 
young  men  who  possess  the  biggest  hearts,  the  most  generous  impulses, 
the  most  genial  natures,  and  the  quickest  perceptions,  both  in  trade 
and  in  humor,  that  are  most  likely  to  get  these  so-called  best  positions 
and  most  liable  to  succumb  to  the  inevitable  pitfalls  of  their  '  duties.'  I 
see  many,  many,  both  young  and  old  men,  at  your  services  to  whom 
your  words  of  caution,  warning,  and  advice  on  the  two  sins  I  have  men- 
tioned would  be  a  veritable  benediction.  If  you  have  an  opportunity, 
please— oh,  please,  speak  out  to  them  !  .  .  .  I  hesitate  to  sign  my  name, 
and  though  I  despise  an  anonymous  letter,  I  cannot  sign  this,  for  1  might 
chance  to  meet  you,  and  could  not  bear  to  look  you  in  the  face  if  I  knew 
that  you  knew  some  of  the  shameful  years  of  my  life. 

"  '  How  did  I  escape  ?'  perhaps  you  ask,  sir.  '  Time  sets  all  things 
even  ; '  '  what  comes  over  the  Devil's  back  will  go  over  the  Devil's  .  .  .' 
I  have  not  escaped — property  wasted  and  gone,  a  premature  old  age, 
an  intellect  so  benumbed  that  I  can  now  write  no  better  letter  than  this, 
on  so  important  a  theme,  trying  to  get  some  comfort  from  your  words, 
trying  to  be  a  better  man,  but  finding  it  so  hard — so  hard,  waiting  to 
join  a  pious  father  and  mother  beyond,  who  I  know  will  welcome  a 

"  Prodigal  Son." 

The  Missioner  while  reading  the  extracts  suffered  from 
suppressed  agony  of  spirit,  and  many  of  his  hearers  sighed 
and  wept  as  they  listened  to  the  awful  disclosures  made  as 
a  warning  to  merchants  guilty  of  this  custom.  The 
preacher  implored  that  no  hearer  henceforth  play  more 
tricks  with  his  conscience  lest  it  become  seared  ;  nor  sell 
his  soul  to  Satan  to  increase  his  business.  "  Some  of  you 
have  made  money  enough  hereafter  to  support  you,  and 
others  have  enough  to  destroy  you."  He  described  how 
Zacharias,  after  he  had  made  restitution  of  what  he  had 
taken  wrongfully,  was  loved  by  those  to  whom  he  had  re- 
stored it,  with  fourfold  interest  ;  and  again  alluded  to  the 
contrast  between  the  rich  young  man,  who  went  away  from 
Christ  "  sorrowful,"  and  the  Ethiopian  Treasurer  of  Can- 


596  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

dace,  who  was  baptized  in  His  name,  and  went  his  way 
with  holy  rapture  bounding  in  his  heart,  probably  occa- 
sionally falling,  but  rising  again  to  fight  nobly  the  good 
fight  of  faith.  After  asking,  "  Shall  this  be  the  result  of 
this  mission  to  you  ?"  the  preacher  said  :  "  I  wish  you  all 
a  happy  Christmas— happy  because  your  sins  have  been 
buried  in  the  Saviour's  tomb  ;  and  that  you  may  be  hap- 
pier and  happier  until,  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  you 
merge  into  the  fulness  of  joy  in  God's  everlasting  king- 
dom." After  prayer  by  the  Missioner,  the  Bishop  pro- 
nounced the  benediction.  "  Rock  of  Ages"  was  sung,  fol- 
lowed by  the  doxology,  and  the  wonderful  noonday  mis- 
sion was  ended. 


SERVICES  FOR  PROMOTION  OF  GRACE. 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

MORNING    SERVICES    FOR    PROMOTION    OF    GROWTH    IN    GRACE. 

Early  Celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion — Services  for  the  Pro- 
motion of  Holiness — Services  for  Women  only — "  Who  is  Mrs. 
Crouch  V  ' —  The  After-meetings — Inquiry  Meetings — Private 
Interviews. 

To  promote  consecration  to  Christ,  "  the  means  of 
grace"  were  appointed  ;  and  during  the  mission  the  Holy 
Communion  was  celebrated  daily  early  in  the  morning. 

An  unusual  number  of  persons  could  not  be  expected 
at  the  celebration  at  8  o'clock  a.m.  Yet  the  Missioners 
and  Rectors  were  cheered  by  the  number  who  made  it  con- 
venient to  be  present.  The  Communion  service  vividly 
reminded  the  communicants  that  Christ's  voluntary  offer- 
ing of  Himself  in  their  behalf  made  a  full,  perfect,  and 
sufficient  sacrifice  for  all  their  sins,  and  the  consecrated 
bread  and  wine,  to  all  who  duly  received  the  holy  symbols, 
were  an  assurance  of  His  favor  and  goodness,  and  their 
heirship  of  His  everlasting  kingdom  ;  and  many  who  had 
cherished  doubts  concerning  their  acceptance  by  God,  at  the 
Holy  Table  their  doubts  departed,  as  in  the  case  of  the 
mother  of  the  Wesleys  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Adam  Clark,  who, 
while  partaking  of  the  Holy  Communion  for  the  first  time, 
felt  conscious  of  their  peace  with  God  through  Jesus  Christ. 
In  the  brief  addresses  at  the  early  celebrations  the  impor- 
tance and  benefits  of  this  Sacrament  were  set  forth  with 
different  degrees  of  emphasis.  And  at  this  consecration 
service  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  many,  doubtless,  resolved 


598 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


to  reconsecrate  themselves  to  Christ  and  His  service,  and, 
through  presenting  body  and  soul  to  be  a  living  sacrifice 
unto  God,  were  filled  with  His  grace  and  heavenly  bene- 
diction. 

NOONDAY  SERVICES    FOR  THE  PROMOTION  OF    HOLINESS. 

Domestic  and  commercial  duties  would  not  permit  all  to 
attend  who  desired  to  be  present.  The  attendance  at  the 
daily  noonday  services  in  churches  in  the  vicinity  of  "  per- 
sons of  leisure"  greatly  cheered  the  Missioners  and  Rectors. 
The  addresses  that  followed  the  short  Liturgical  services 
were  designed  to  impress  Christians  concerning  their  great 
spiritual  privileges,  and  to  induce  them  to  no  longer  mope 
and  groan  and  complain  at  the  bottom  of  Zion's  hill,  but, 
by  Divine  aid,  to  ascend  to  the  summit,  enjoy  soul  sun- 
shine, obtain  Pisgah  views  of  the  glories  awaiting  them, 
receive  foretastes  of  the  rest  of  Paradise,  and  live  on  earth 
the  life  of  heaven.  They  were  assured  that  this  spiritual  ex- 
altation was  not  to  be  attained  by  exclusively  seeking  bless- 
ings for  themselves,  and  that  they  must  also  labor  for  the 
welfare  of  others,  by  imitating  the  Saviour,  whose  feet 
walked  on  errands  of  mercy,  His  hands  dispensing  bless- 
ings, His  lips  uttering  benedictions,  and  who  found  His 
meat  and  drink  in  doing  the  Father's  will.  Mr.  Betts,  one 
of  the  Missioners  at  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  at  one  of  the 
daily  services,  said  :  "  It  is  a  mistake  for  any  one  to  imagine 
that  New  York  is  not,  to  a  great  extent,  a  religious  com- 
munity. New  faces  are  seen  at  all  the  services,  and  the 
large  congregations  are  an  assurance  that  the  mission  has 
taken  hold  of  the  public  mind  and  heart. " 


AFTERNOON    SERVICES    FOR    WOMEN    ONLY. 

At  missions  in  England  eminent  ladies  leave  their  man- 
sions to  aid  the  Missioners  by  conducting  the  afternoon 


SERVICES  FOR  PROMOTION  OF  GRACE. 


services  for  women  only,  and  also  by  conversing  with 
women  who  remain  at.  the  after-meetings  in  the  evening. 
At  the  mission  last  year,  held  in  London,  the  services  for 
women  only  in  St.  Stephen's  Church,  Westminster,  were 
conducted  by  Lady  Elizabeth  Biddulph,  who  is  a  member 
of  Queen  Victoria's  household.  Mrs.  Crouch,  who  is  the 
widow  of  a  Church-of-England  clergyman,  a  devoted  and 
eminently  useful  Christian  worker,  crossed  the  ocean,  and 
since  her  arrival  has  conducted  "  services  for  women 
only  "  at  the  missions  held  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Aitken,  in 
Xewburgh,  N.  Y.,  St.  Luke's,  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  Trinity 
Church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  in  St.  George's  Church,  New 
York  City.  Also  at  the  mission  in  Nashville  and  New 
Orleans. 

The  farewell  services  for  women  were  fully  attended,  and 
Mrs.  Crouch  was  surrounded  by  many  women,  who  assured 
her  that  they  could  never  forget  the  friend  who  had  led 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  their  Saviour. 

THE    USEFULNESS    OF    THE    AFTER-MEETINGS. 

At  a  mission  the  author  urged  the  Rector  to  give  notice 
that  he  would  be  glad  to  see  any  persons  who  desired 
private  spiritual  conversation.  He  forgot  to  do  so,  but 
said  :  "  If  the  people  have  been  impressed  by  the  mission, 
the  impression  wTill  keep  !"  The  results  of  the  mission 
were  "  not  satisfactory." 

At  another  mission  the  Rector  was  informed  that  on 
the  previous  evening  the  Missioner  had  asked  a  gentleman, 
"  Do  you  love  the  Saviour?"  and  the  question  had  kept 
him  awake  during  the  night  !  The  Rector  soothed  him 
saying:  "  The  mission  was  not  designed  to  disturb  peo- 
ple !" 

At  a  mission  in  Canada  a  large  number  remained  during 
the  after-meeting.    The  clergy  present  stood  in  the  chancel, 


GOO  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


wondering  what  they  ought  to  do.  The  next  morning  the 
Rector  kindly  said  :  "  I  have  difficult  work  to  keep  my 
people  harmonious.  The  after-meeting  last  night  disturbed 
some  of  them.  One  of  them  said  :  '  Very  soon  Christian 
women  will  walk  from  pew  to  pew,  asking  the  occupant, 
"  Are  you  a  Christian  ?"  '  "  Not  to  disturb  the  harmony, 
the  Missioner  did  not  give  notice  that  the  sermon  would  be 
followed  by  an  after-meeting.  For  the  Rector's  sake,  he 
did  not  give  his  reason  for  the  omission. 

Archdeacon  Farrar  very  truly  says:  "I  will  tell  you 
what  is  slavery,  and  slavery  of  the  most  crushing  kind,  .  .  . 
and  that  is  the  slavery  of  the  minister  to  the  people,  on 
whom  he  depends  for  bread." 

Where  the  Rector  is  too  timid,  and  does  not  throw  his 
whole  heart  and  soul  into  the  work  of  the  after-meeting, 
he  is  not  likely  to  find  the  results  "satisfactory.''  One 
object  of  a  mission  is  "to  make  the  people  more  spiritual- 
minded  ;"  and  if  this  be  not  done  the  Rector  will  lose  his 
hold  upon  his  flock. 

AX  ENGLISH  CLERGYMAN,  OF  THE  "  FLAT    AND    SLEEPY    SCHOOL," 

said  to  another  :  "  I  would  not  advise  you  to  have  a  mis- 
sion in  your  parish  ;  a  few  years  ago  I  had  a  mission  ; 
about  seventeen  people  professed  to  be  converted,  and 
what  was  the  sequel  ?  They  all  very  soon  left  me  !"  At 
a  clerical  meeting  this  same  clergyman  was  discoursing 
on  Missioners,  and  said  :  "  I  possess,  myself,  the  most  re- 
markable faculty  for  sending  people  to  sleep."  This  ad- 
mission caused  all  the  clergy  present  to  break  forth  into 
inextinguishable  laughter. 

The  seventeen  who  were  awakened  through  the  mission, 
not  desiring  more  oratorical  anodynes  and  spiritual  slum- 
ber, left  the  soothing  Rector  who  confessed  that  he  pos- 
sessed this  most  remarkable  faculty. 


SERVICES  POP  PROMOTION  OP  GRACE.  001 

A  letter  from  Missioner  Aitken  urges  the  author  to  em- 
phasize "  the  importance  of  the  after-meeting." 

Had  the  Missioners  dispensed  with  the  after-meetings, 
they  would  have  resembled  fishermen  casting  their  nets 
into  fishing  waters,  but  not  afterward  drawing  them  into 
their  boats  or  on  the  shore,  to  gather  and  assort  the  fish 
therein.  At  the  after-meetings  the  impressions  made  by 
the  sermons  of  the  wise  Gospel  fishermen  were  deepened 
by  an  "instruction"  or  "  meditation,"  based  on  the  ser- 
mon, and  equally  solemn,  but  less  formal.  To  converse 
with  each  who  had  been  impressed,  the  Missioner  and  Rec- 
tor passed  from  pew  to  pew. 

Some  were  perplexed  by  doctrinal  difficulties,  which  the 
Missioner  or  Rector  endeavored  to  remove.  Others  had 
cherished  doubts  and  fears  ;  but  were  told  that  distrust  dis- 
honors God  ;  and  some  who  had  doubts  bade  them  to 
"  depart."  Some  had  long  attempted  to  do  something 
to  merit  salvation,  and  learned  that  whatever  was  meritori- 
ous was  done  by  their  Saviour  ;  some  of  them  resolved  to 
accept  pardon  as  sinners,  and  not  as  saints.  Others  were 
on  the  borders  of  despair  through  the  flagrant  character  of 
their  sin  and  guilt,  and  weYe  told  that  Christ  died  to  save 
the  chief  of  sinners,  and  through  him  God  absolves  all  who 
truly  repent  and  believe.  Some  entertained  the  view  that 
sudden  conversions  are  unreliable,  and  that  they  must 
gradually  cease  from  sinning  ;  but  were  told  that  the  present 
is  God's  acceptable  time,  and,  like  David,  they  should 
11  delay  not,"  but  "  make  haste  to  keep  God's  command- 
ments." Others  had  brought  reproach  upon  Christ's 
Church  through  indulgence  in  worldly  pleasures,  and  had 
practically  denied  Him  ;  but  the  Missioner  or  Rector  assured 
them  that  the  loving  Saviour  who  forgave  the  unfaithful- 
ness of  Peter  would  freely  forgive  them.  Persons  who 
were  too  timid  to  go  to  a  minister  for  special  advice  were 


602       *  THE    CHURCH   REVIVED. 

willing  to  quietly  converse  with  the  Missioner  or  Rector 
who  went  from  pew  to  pew.  In  some  of  the  churches 
clergymen  conversed  with  the  men,  and  Christian  women 
with  the  women,  and  the  special  nature  of  some  of  the  con- 
versations will  not  be  disclosed.  While  they  went  from 
pew  to  pew,  successive  appropriate  hymns,  announced  by 
the  Missioner,  were  sung  in  subdued  tones,  the  people 
generally  kneeling  ;  and  occasionally  prayer  was  quietly 
offered  by  the  clergy  in  behalf  of  persons  in  the  pews  whom 
they  had  instructed. 

AFTER-MEETINGS    OF    ANOTHER    KIND. 

In  some  of  the  churches  the  after-meeting  consisted  of  an 
"  instruction,"  not  followed  by  personal  conversation  in 
the  pews.  At  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation  Missioner 
Ransford  gave  his  instruction  while  standing  in  the  pulpit. 
At  other  churches  the  Missioner  exhorted  the  people,  and 
while  doing  so  walked  very  slowly  down  the  aisles,  looking 
into  the  faces  of  the  people,  first  on  one  side  and  then  on 
the  opposite  side.  Missioner  Warren  gave  his  instruction 
standing  where  he  had  preached  his  sermon.  At  the  close 
of  his  hortatory  address  he  commenced  a  hymn,  and  com- 
mented on  its  import.  One  evening  he  requested  the  peo- 
ple to  sing  the  hymn  commencing  "  Just  as  I  am,  without 
one  plea."  Before  each  successive  verse  was  sung  he  ex- 
plained what  its  declaration  signified.  Before  the  verse, 
11  Just  as  I  am,  Thou  wilt  receive,"  he  said  :  "  As  it  is  not 
right  to  sing  a  lie,  I  desire  that  only  those  who  really  be 
lieve  this  will  sing  it,  and  that  those  who  do  not  will  be 
silent."  After  the  verse  had  been  sung  he  said  :  "I  am 
glad  that  so  many  could  truthfully  sing  it,  and  also  glad 
that  so  many  did  not  ;  for  this  was  a  sign  of  moral  candor. 
But  those  of  you  who  could  sincerely  sing  it  will  now  sing 
the  same  verse  again,  but  change  the  tense,  and  sing  : 


SERVICES  EOR  PROMOTION  Of  GRACE.  608 


11  '  Just  as  I  am,  Thou  hast  received, 

Hath  welcomed,  pardoned,  cleansed,  relieved  : 
Because  Thy  promise  I  believed, 
O,  Lamb  of  God,  I  came  !'  " 

He  then  commented  on  each  succeeding  verse,  after  which 
they  heartily  sang  it. 

WRITTEN    REQUESTS    FOR    SPECIAL    BLESSINGS. 

At  some  of  the  churches  a  box  was  placed  near  the  inner 
wall  of  the  entrance  door  to  receive  the  letters  containing 
requests  for  mercies.  At  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest 
Missioner  Pigoi!  requested  those  who  intended  to  place 
letters  therein  not  to  sign  their  names,  as  the  requests 
would  be  read  at  a  special  prayer-meeting,  and  answers 
implored.  During  the  mission  a  very  large  number  were 
received,  and  fervent  prayers  offered  that  God  would 
graciously  answer  them  if  in  accordance  with  His  Holy 
Will  and  the  welfare  of  those  for  whom  special  blessings 
were  desired. 

Missioners  who  are  called  "ritualistic"  gave  public 
notice  that  at  appointed  hours  they  would  confer  with  per- 
sons who  desired  to  see  them  for  "  confession  or  instruc- 
tion." At  other  churches  Missioners  gave  public  notice 
that  the  Missioner,  Rector,  and  the  assistant  clergy  would 
be  ready  to  meet  at  the  appointed  hours  persons  who  de- 
sired to  confer  with  any  of  them  concerning  spiritual  mat- 
ters. If  persons  confessed  that  they  had  grievously  sinned, 
and  named  particular  sins,  the  clergy  listened  to  them,  and 
gave  them  plain  advice,  as  did  the  Missioners  and  other 
clergy  who  held  a  similar  "  private  interview,"  but  called 
it  a  "  private  interview  for  confession  or  instruction."  At 
such  interviews,  held  by  each  class  of  clergymen,  many 
burdened  souls  found  relief  ;  despairing  ones  were  cheered  ; 
the  sin-fettered  faithfully  warned  ;  and  some,  who  had  long 


G04  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

had  dim  views  of  how  to  believe  and  be  saved,  were  led  to 
see  the  way  to  life  through  Christ  the  Door,  and  said  :  "  I 
now  see  it,"  and,  with  a  brightened  face,  exclaimed  :  "  My 
Saviour  !"  As  all  difficulties  in  the  mind  are  not  removed 
by  sermons  from  the  pulpit,  the  "  after-meetings,"  "  in- 
quiry-meetings," and  "  private  interviews  "  are  essential 
and  useful  in  connection  with  a  mission. 

At  the  University  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  the  author 
was  present  at  a  recitation  conducted  by  Professor  Blaikie. 
He  is  very  nervous,  but  very  learned,  and  not  gracious 
toward  students  who  neglect  to  make  preparation  for  "  a 
good  recitation."  In  a  letter  from  this  eminent  Scotch 
Divine,  published  in  the  New  York  Observer,  and  copied  by 
discerning  editors,  of  other  religious  papers,  Dr.  Blaikie, 
speaking  of  the  growing  religious  interest  in  religion  in  the 
Universities,  and  of  the  offer  made  to  the  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Committee  of  the  Free  Church  by  the  Hon.  Ion  Keith- 
Falconer,  son  of  the  late  Earl  of  Kintore,  to  go  as  mission- 
ary to  the  Mohammedans  at  Aden — he  is  a  distinguished 
Arabic  scholar  and  a  graduate  of  Cambridge,  and  wishes 
to  put  his  special  training  to  service  for  the  cause  of  the 
Master — Dr.  Blaikie  said  :  "  Never  before  did  there  seem 
to  be,  among  young  men  and  young  women,  such  a  sense 
of  their  obligation  to  turn  their  lives  to  good  account,  and 
not  allow  conventionalities  of  any  kind  to  stand  in  the  way 
of  their  doing  so. 

"  It  has  not  been  the  keen  sense  of  sin  and  misery,  as 
in  many  revival  movements.  At  the  time  of  life  when,  like 
a  patrimony  placed  in  their  hands,  their  lives  have  been  at 
their  disposal,  ready  to  be  given  to  what  promised  best, 
they  have  heard  the  voice  of  Christ  saying  :  "  Follow  Me." 
The  blessedness,  the  glory,  the  purity,  the  peace  of  such  a 
life  and  such  a  service  have  been  brought  home  to  them  by 
a  power  divine.     They  have  made  up  their  minds  to  attach 


SER  VICES  FOR  PRO  Mi  >  Tli  W  OF  GR<  1  ( 'E.  005 

themselves  to  Christ  and  follow  Him.  Conscious  of  weak- 
ness, of  disorder,  of  many  sinful  lusts  and  passions,  they' 
have  thrown  their  hearts  open  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  light, 
guidance,  and  strength.  To  many  of  us  it  seems  that  a 
movement  in  which  there  is  not  a  fuller  recognition  of  the 
guilt  of  sin  and  the  atoning  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  Christ 
has  an  element  of  weakness  fitted  to  give  rise  to  some 
anxiety.  Yet  there  are  such  manifest  tokens  of  genuine- 
ness about  it  that  one's  hopes  cannot  but  greatly  transcend 
one's  fears. 

"  We  do  not  see  why  the  operations  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
should  be  viewed  with  any  '  anxiety.'  After  all,  there  is 
no  sweeter,  more  precious  word  in  all  the  experience  of  the 
Christian  life  than  consecration.  When  the  Christian  heart 
reaches  that,  it  is  not  important  to  ask  too  curiously  about 
the  steps  that  led  to  it.  A  life  given  to  the  service  of 
Christ  is  its  own  evidence.  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them.  Experiences  differ.  .  .  .  We  are  not  to  ask  from 
the  young  University  student,  brought  up  under  the  best 
restraints  of  a  Christian  household,  the  same  depth  of  de- 
spairing repentance  as  marked  the  experience  of  John  New- 
ton, the  converted  slave-trader." 


606  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 

THE    SPECIFIC    OBJECT    OF    MISSION    PREACHERS. 

The  Bewildered  Tourist — Dangerous  Precipices — Brinks  of 
Moral  Danger — Missioners  not  Ranters — How  to  truly  Repent 
a?id  Come  to  Christ — Doctrinal  Character  of  Mission  Sermons. 

The  reader  who  has  climbed  the  Alpine  mountains  is 
aware  that  near  a  dangerous  pass  there  is  a  friendly  hos- 
pice. To  whoever  knocks  its  door  is  instantly  opened,  and 
a  monk  with  beaming  face  bids  the  stranger  "  Welcome." 
Soon  he  is  introduced  to  several  monks  who  are  chatting 
merrily  before  a  blazing  fire.  While  warming  his  chilled 
limbs  he  concludes  that  the  joyful  monks  lead  a  very  pleas- 
ant life,  and  have  nothing  to  disturb  them.  But  suddenly 
they  look  anxious,  and  arise  from  their  seats,  and  in  unison 
give  a  loud  whistle  !  What  !  is  this  a  branch  of  the  In- 
quisition ?  In  obedience  to  the  whistles'  summons  a  num- 
ber of  panting  dogs  arrive. 

BLACK    AND    SPREADING    CLOUDS    DARKEN    THE    SKY. 

Winds  howl  angrily,  and  snowflakes  are  falling.  Through 
the  blinding  storm  some  venturesome  tourists  have  lost  their 
way.  That  they  may  not  stumble  over  the  adjacent  preci- 
pice, lie  buried  in  the  snow,  and  sleep  "  the  sleep  that 
knows  no  waking/'  the  monks  and  their  faithful  dogs 
bravely  face  the  storm  to  guide  the  tourist  who  has  lost  his 
way   to    the   friendly  hospice,  which  without   a  guide  he 


SPECIFIC  OBJECT  OF  MISSION  PREACHERS.  007 

cannot  find.  Near  brilliantly  lighted  churches  many  souls 
are  in  danger  of  perishing.  They  have  wandered  too  far 
away  from  the  means  of  grace  to  find  them  unaided. 

TO    SAVE    FROM    ETERNAL    DESTRUCTION. 

Devoted  Missioners  co-operate  with  Rectors  in  facing  the 
storms  of  worldliness  and  prejudice,  in  order  to  rescue  the 
Christless  from  the  way  to  destruction.  To  benefit  poor, 
homeless,  and  neglected  folk,  lift  up  those  who  are  cast 
down,  mightily  strive  to  save  the  lost,  and  benefit  all  sorts 
and  conditions  of  men,  they  cry  :  "  We  will  guide  you  to 
the  mission,  and  tell  you  how  to  come  to  Christ  for  ever- 
lasting life.  "  Rectors  who  have  heretofore  feared  to  invite 
Missioners  to  aid  them,  through  fear  that  a  mission  may 
produce  excitement  and  be  followed  by  reaction  to  slumber 
or  indifference, 

NOW    WELCOME    MISSIONERS 

to  aid  them  in  seeking  lost  and  wandering  sheep.  But  as 
if  "  quiet  "  at  mission  services  were  an  old  idol  to  be  still 
adored,  Rectors  in  unison  have  testified  that  the  Missioners 
preached  in  harmony  with  man's  mental  and  moral  consti- 
tution ;  and  as  the  peace  of  God  flows  into  the  soul 
through  belief  of  truth,  "  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus,"  the  ser- 
mons set  before  the  intellect  what  is  truthful  and  desirable, 
that  the  heart  may  love  it,  and  appealed  to  the  will  to  both 
choose  and  obey  it.  Because  mere  appeals  not  based  on 
the  "  doctrine  of  Christ"  are  useless  to  move  men  to  re- 
pent, and  believe  and  obey  the  Gospel,  the  Missioners 
specified,  what  true  repentance  is,  and  what  must  be  be- 
lieved in  order  to  be  saved.  And  before  appealing  to  sin- 
ners to  "  come  to  Christ,"  they  held  before  the  eye  of  the 
intellect  His  loveliness  ;  explained  what  "coming  to  Christ" 
embraces  ;  the  mode  of  approach  ;  and  what  all  who  truly 


608  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

come  to  Christ  receive  in  this  present  life — the  foretastes  of 
the  blessings  of  the  life  to  come. 

THE    DOCTRINAL    CHARACTER    OF    MISSION    SERMONS. 

Missioners  do  not  descant  respecting  the  velocity  of  the 
power  of  flight  by  cherubim  and  seraphim  ;  the  radiant 
tints  of  the  angels'  wings  ;  the  psychology  of  the  Divine 
love  ;  the  geologic  nature  of  the  new  earth  ;  nor  did  any 
take  astronomic  observations  of  the  inhabitants  of  distant 
planets  ;  but  with  various  degrees  of  force  and  clearness 
different  Missioners  set  forth  the  fundamental  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel.  They  reasoned  concerning  God's  law  of 
righteousness,  self-control,  or  continence  ;  the  certainty  of 
the  Day  of  Judgment  ;  and  that  all  men  must  stand  before 
the  Righteous  Judge,  quailing  or  rejoicing.  The  nature  of 
true  repentance  or  conversion  ;  the  judicial  act  of  God  in 
the  sinner's  justification  ;  sanctification  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ; 
the  qualifications  for  glorification  ;  man's  accountability, 
as  illustrated  by  the  parable  of  the  talents  ;  the  Lord's  sen- 
tence of  censure  to  the  talent  waster,  but  of  approval  and 
award  to  the  talent  improvers  ;  the  nature  and  duration  of 
graduated  reward  and  penalty,  etc.  And  many  of  the 
mission  sermons  were  not  only  doctrinal  and  exegetical, 
but  contained  lucid  illustrations  of  the  power  of  the  Gospel 
and  of  Christianity  in  living  action.  Missioner  Pigou  em- 
phasized the  necessity  for  having  confidence  in  the  Unseen, 
just  as  we  trust  to  the  superior  knowledge  of  the  physician 
during  illness.  The  "agnostic"  and  the  "  positivist " 
question  everything.  Society  must  have  faith,  or  it  will 
fall  to  pieces.  You  trust  a  letter  to  the  post.  In  theology 
there  is  the  same  trust  in  the  message  of  God  that  you  show 
in  leaving  the  letter  to  the  mail.  It  is  by  your  faith  that 
you  will  be  saved.  And  if  you  have  faith  yourself,  have 
you  ever  tried  to  make  other  hearts  better  for  it  ?    Have 


SPECIFIC  OBJECT  OF  MISSION  PREACHERS.  C09 

you  given  them  of  your  faith  ?  And  are  you  sure  your 
hope  of  salvation  will  bear  the  test  if  you  are  summoned 
before  the  Eternal  throne  to-night  ? 

THE    MISSIONERS    RESEMBLE    AN    ORCHESTRA, 

each  Missioner  having  a  different  instrument,  but  each  con- 
tributing to  its  harmony.  All  are  characterized  by  different 
degrees  of  excellence.  Some  of  them  are  talented  Rectors 
of  churches  in  the  United  States  and  in  Canada,  and  have 
the  ability  to  become  eminent  Missioners.  Others  have 
had  a  larger  and  longer  experience.  No  two  of  them 
are  alike  as  preachers.  The  sermons  of  all  indicate  how 
fully  they  realize  that  a  mode  of  sermonizing  appropriate 
and  efficient  for  generations  of  men  now  buried  would  be 
powerless  to  move  the  intensely  active  and  impatient  gener- 
ation now  living  ;  that  they  must  keep  up  with  the  times 
in  respect  to  increasing  knowledge,  and  also  adopt  the  best 
modes  of  imparting  it.  Denniteness  of  aim,  and  adapta- 
tion to  different  classes  of  saints  and  sinners,  characterized 
the  sermons  of  the  Missioners.  To  the  regenerate  they 
preach  sermons  of  growth  in  grace,  but  to  the  unregener- 
ate,  who  have  no  grace,  to  come  at  once  to  Christ  for  life. 


610  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

ORATORICAL    GIFTS    OF    THE    MISSIOXERS. 

The  most  Successful  Preachers —  The  Source  of  Pulpit  Power — 
The  Rev.  R.  B.  Ra7isford—The  Rev.  E.  W.  Warren —  The 
Very  Rev.  Dean  Hart— The  Rev.  G.  R.  Van  De  Water— 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson  —  The  Rev.  J,  Stephens  —  The 
Rev.    W.  H.  Aitken,  M.A. 

In  a  lecture  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Cook,  delivered  in  Tre- 
mont  Temple,  Boston,  he  showed  that  the  best  preacher 
does  not  speak,  but  is  spoken  through.*  The  most  effective 
preaching  consists  not  only  of  words  about  the  Lord,  but, 
in  a  sense,  of  words  from  the  Lord.  When  most  empty  of 
self,  the  soul  often  feels  itself  to  be  a  channel  for  some  in- 
fluence— that  is  in  it  but  not  of  it.  The  chief  secret  of  per- 
suasive force  of  speech  is  co-operation  with  God.  All  the 
inventions  obtain  their  power  from  co-operation  with  God. 
Six  times  an  hour  news  can,  or  soon  will  be,  sent  around 
the  whole  world,  through  what  ?  Co-operation  with  God. 
A  natural  force,  taken  advantage  of  by  the  feeblest 
human  finger  that  can  press  a  button,  may  carry  intelli- 
gence around  the  planet  with  a  swiftness  like  that  of  light. 

Co-operation  with  God  is  the  source  of  all  reinforcement 
of  finite  powers  by  infinite  power.  This  thought  unifies 
all  inventions,  all  reforms,  and  all  the  relations  of  man  to 
the  laws    of  both    the    physical    and  the    spiritual   world. 

*  New  York  Independent,  March  26th,  18S6. 


ORATORICAL  GIFTS  OF   THE  MISS/OXERS.  fill 

What  is  the  wisest  use  to  make  of  special  meetings  in  re- 
ligious awakenings  and  of  the  varied  measures  for  securing 
the  immediate  decision  of  souls  to  obey  all  known  truth  ? 
Co-operate  with  God.  Ascertain  what  measures  He  has 
blessed  and  is  blessing  by  their  spiritual  results,  and  fol- 
low a  uniform  plan  or  a  varied  plan,  whithersoever  He  leads. 
Co-operation  with  God  by  intellectual  contact  with 
reality — that  is,  by  attention  to  all  religious  truth — this 
gives  the  power  to  convince  the  reason.  Co-operation  with 
God  by  volitional  contact  with  reality — that  is,  by  self- 
surrender  to  all  religious  truth — this  gives  the  preacher 
the  power  to  convict  the  conscience. 

"  High  in  the  temple  of  the  living  God 
He  stood  amidst  the  people  and  declared 
Aloud  the  truth,  the  whole  revealed  truth, 
Ready  to  seal  it  with  his  blood.   .   .   . 
Such  was  his  calling,  his  commission  such. 
Yet  he  was  humble,  kind,  forgiving,  meek, 
Easy  to  be  entreated,  gracious,  mild, 
And  with  all  patience  and  affection  taught, 
Rebuked,  persuaded,  solaced,  counselled,  warned." 

The  rhetorical  gifts  of  Bishops  Tuttle  and  Elliott,  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Glazebrook,  Crapsey,  Drs.  Bunn,  Fair,  and 
Courteney,  who  are  so  well  known,  will  not  be  attempted. 
A  sketch  of  the  foreign  Missioners,  however,  may  interest 
persons  who  could  not  "  come  to  the  mission"  to  be 
moved  by  their  eloquence. 

THE    REV.    R.    B.    RANSFORD,  OF    LONDON,  ENGLAND, 

one  of  the  Missioners  of  the  combined  mission  of  Zion 
Church  and  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  Madison 
Avenue,  is  most  suitable  for  congregations  who  eschew 
both  oratorical  thunder  and  also  vocal  laudanum.  His 
voice  is  sonorous,  having  a  good  vocal  range,  and  is  in 
no  sense  monotonous.     In  uttering  successive  sentences, 


612  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

he  ascends  and  descends  the  musical  scale,  and  occasion- 
ally utters  a  sentence  with  a  grinding  emphasis,  but  in  an 
instant  his  tone  is  again  musical  and  sometimes  plaintive. 
Emphatic  words  in  the  divisions  of  his  sermon  are  followed 
by  several  synonyms,  the  succeeding  sentence  uttered 
with  a  measured  cadence,  and  he  trills  words  with  the  let- 
ter R  as  if  he  were  not  a  native  Englishman.  With  a  good 
degree  of  earnestness  he  commences  his  sermon,  but  it  is 
not  climacteric,  and  the  same  degree  marks  its  conclusion  ; 
but  his  sincerity,  faithfulness,  and  persuasiveness  arrest 
and  hold  the  attention  of  his  hearers.  As  the  author  was 
leaving  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation,  he  heard  one  gentle- 
man quietly  say  to  another  :  "  The  Missioner  preached 
very  plainly  ;  but  in  his  sermon  there  was  nothing  sensa- 
tional." 

THE    REV.    E.    WALPOLE    WARREN,  OF    LONDON, 

Missioner  at  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  appears  to  be 
about  fifty  years  of  age,  has  iron-gray  hair  and  whiskers, 
an  active  temperament,  and  is  full  of  vigor.  In  the  orbit 
of  Missioners  he  is,  in  a  good  sense,  eccentric  ;  and  his 
sermons  and  their  delivery  accord  with  his  own  mental 
and  personal  individuality.  He  commences  his  sermon  on 
a  high  key-note,  uses  the  head  tones  of  voice  throughout, 
emphasizes  the  more  important  parts  by  increase  of  vol- 
ume on  the  same  pitch  ;  and,  though  his  voice  is  not 
heavy,  it  has  the  power  of  a  far-reaching  soprano,  and  it 
gradually  becomes  musical  in  the  ears  of  his  spellbound 
hearers.  His  sermons  are  not  according  to  models  in 
works  on  Sacred  Rhetoric,  and  are  characterized  by  what 
may  be  termed  a  kaleidoscopic  variety  of  rhetorical  com- 
binations, embracing  lucid  exposition,  vivid  illustration, 
convincing  argument,  striking  anecdote,  scathing  denun- 
ciation, earnest  warning,  and  plaintive,  heart-touching  ap- 


ORATORICAL  GIFTS  OF  THE  MISSIONER S.  618 

peal.  He  has  fearless  moral  courage,  and  prefers  at  times 
to  hurt  the  feelings  of  his  hearers  to  avoid  endangering 
their  souls'  eternal  welfare.  If  the  singing  drags,  he  says  : 
"  Please  to  sing  half  as  fast  again  !"  When  about  to  pro- 
nounce the  Benediction,  he  requested  the  people  immedi- 
ately afterward,  to  quickly  and  quietly  leave  the  church, 
and  not  hold  another  after-meeting  conversing,  to  allow 
the  adversary  to  snatch  away  the  seed  of  truth,  but  to 
return  to  their  homes  with  a  prayerful  frame  of  mind,  and 
prepare  for  their  home  above.  When  a  person  asked  a 
gentleman  connected  with  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Trin- 
ity, "  What  kind  of  a  Missioner  have  you  ?"  he  received 
the  answer,  "  An  excellent  one — one  who  is  a  genius." 
He  can  only  preach  efficiently  in  his  own  peculiar  style. 
But  when  he  announced  that  he  would  preach  on  Saturday 
evening  on  "The  Devil's  Saturday  Night,"  he  caused  a 
little  surprise. 

"  He  possesses  wonderful  power  in  adapting  himself  to 
his  audience.  Is  he  addressing  men,  the  treatment  of  his 
theme  discloses  a  healthy,  robust,  manly  religion,  which 
appeals  to  the  confidence  of  every  true  heart.  Is  he  speak- 
ing to  women,  the  petty,  annoying  trials  of-every-day  life 
are  so  portrayed  and  applied  as  to  prove  that  a  life  of  faith 
will  put  them  under  foot  and  make  the  child  of  God  victor 
oyer  them  ;  while  his  talks  to  children  sparkle  with  quick 
and  attractive  thought,  compelling  the  young  mind  to  the 
exercise  of  attention  and  interest.  His  sermons  to  Chris- 
tians are  strongly  tinctured  with  uncompromising  utter- 
ances against  the  worldly  Christianity  of  the  day.  No 
gay,  frivolous,  thoughtless  professor  of  religion  can  escape 
his  scathing  words.  His  evening  addresses  to  the  unsaved 
abound  in  self-evident  truths,  from  which  no  reasonable 
person  can  dissent." 

While  Missioner  Warren's  oratorical  gifts  are  the  oppo- 


614  TH£   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

site  to  those  of  Missioner  Aitken,  he  deeply  impresses  his 
hearers  by  a  different  mode  of  presenting  the  very  same 
truths.  On  the  text,  "  So  run"  that  ye  may  obtain,  or,  "  be 
constantly  attaining"  (i  Cor.  9  :  24),  after  a  very  practical 
introduction  he  set  forth,  first,  the  definite  object  of  the 
mission,  and,  second,  the  practical  results  derived.  He 
said  there  is  but  little  common-sense  in  the  mode  in  which 
the  religion  of  Christ  is  preached  and  practised,  and  but 
little  common-sense  in  the  way  in  which  nine  tenths  of 
professed  Christians  live. 

"what  is  the  christian  race?" 

In  answering  the  question,  the  preacher  said  not  bap- 
tism ;  for  it  is  but  the  entrance,  in  order  that  the  one  who 
is  baptized  may  start,  or  the  entrance  of  the  name  on  the 
list  of  probable  starters.  Confirmation  is  not  the  race, 
but  a  public  profession  that  the  one  confirmed  will  be 
obedient  to  God's  commandments.  Baptism  does  not  in- 
sure a  start  in  the  Christian  race-course.  Accepting  Christ 
and  resolving  to  serve  Him  is  the  starting-point  ;  and 
the  real  Christian  life  leads  not  to  the  cross,  but  from  the 
cross.  Christ  died  to  open  the  entrance  to  the  narrow 
way  which  leads  to  the  crown  ;  and  the  true  Christian 
lives  not  to  be  saved,  but  to.  be  glorified.  Many  have  a 
vague  hope  or  a  vague  fear,  and  say  :  "  I  hope  I  shall  be 
saved,  or  I  fear  I  shall  be  lost  !"  There  can  be  no  race 
without  a  present  salvation,  and  the  entrance  to  the  race- 
course is  true  conversion,  and  the  goal  a  crown  of  glory. 

MISSIONER    CARMICHAEL,   OF    HAMILTON,  CANADA. 

We  saw  him  in  the  chancel  of  the  Church  of  the  Incarna- 
tion, and  were  pleased  with  his  intellectual  forehead  and 
his  earnest  expression  of  face  ;  but  as  it  was  not  our  privi- 
lege to  hear  him  preach,  we  cannot  describe  his  oratorical 


ORATORICAL  GIFTS  OF  THE  MISSIONERS.  616 

specialties.  Those  who  have  heard  him  say  that  he  pos- 
sesses the  gifts  for  an  efficient  Missioner.  His  labors  dur- 
ing the  mission  were  acceptable  and  also  beneficial. 

THE    MISSIONER    AT    CALVARY    CHAPEL. 

The  Very  Rev.  Dean  Hart,  of  Denver,  Colorado,  is  about 
fifty  years  of  age,  and  has  a  very  active  temperament  and 
unusual  executive  ability.  His  influence  over  boys  and 
young  men  resembles  the  commands  of  a  kind  general 
who  controls  his  army  without  constantly  threatening  to 
have  delinquents  "  confined  in  the  guard-room."  His 
oratorical  powers  are  of  the  reasoning  and  persuasive 
order  :  his  voice  is  musical,  his  delivery  rapid,  and  when 
limited  by  time,  he  embodies  much  solid  thought  in  a  very 
few  sentences.  The  author  has  heard  him  talk  as  rapidly 
as  the  Rev.  Phillips  Brooks,  who  can  make  reporters  own 
that  his  oratory  is  ahead  of  all  phonography  and  stenog- 
raphy. His  disposition  is  cheerful,  and  with  friends  he  is 
witty  ;  but  he  does  not  talk  nonsense  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  nor  emit  scintillations  of  his  wit  in  His  holy  sanc- 
tuary. 

MISSIONER    VAN  DE  WATER 

possesses  a  robust  body,  an  active  intellect,  and  is  full  of 
zeal.  The  expression  of  his  face  is  pleasing,  his  manner 
is  cordial,  and  he  looks  as  if  he  is  really  happy  in  the  Lord. 
When  a  friend  approaches  to  shake  him  warmly  by  the 
hand  he  does  not  greet  him  by  holding  out  one  of  his 
fingers.  His  talents  are  not  of  the  imaginative,  but  of  the 
practical,  order  ;  and,  having  a  strong  will,  he  usually  ac- 
complishes any  work  he  undertakes.  He  is  an  interesting 
preacher,  and  uses  familiar  words,  and  when  a  little  under 
way,  and  his  soul  begins  to  glow,  he  speaks  with  fluency 
and    fervor.      He    heartily    co-operated    with     Missioner 


616  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Aitken,  who  conducted  a  successful  mission  in  the  church 
of  which  he  is  the  Rector,  before  the  Advent  Mission  was 
commenced  in  New  York  City  ;  and  the  blessings  vouch- 
safed foreshadowed  the  great  blessing  that  has  accompa- 
nied his  labors  in  St.  George's  and  in  old  Trinity  Church. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Van  De  Water  has  youth  on  his  side  and  a 
strong  body  that  can  bear  his  earnestness  ;  but  the  duties 
of  his  parish  will  tax  all  his  mental  and  physical  powers. 
Delicate  clergymen,  in  many  cases,  live  to  a  ripe  old  age, 
for  they  husband  their  strength  ;  but  robust  clergymen 
often  shorten  their  days,  because  they  recklessly  use  their 
physical  strength,  and  seemingly  forget  that  M  waste  is  the 
invariable  result  of  every  action." 

Several  years  ago  a  brother  clergyman  said  to  the  au- 
thor :  "  I  can  do  more  Gospel  work  to  glorify  my  Master 
by  husbanding  my  strength  to  preach  for  ten  or  twenty 
years  than  if  I  labor  beyond  my  strength,  and  prematurely 
die." 

MISSIONER    THOMPSON,  OF    QUEBEC,  CANADA. 

The  Missioner  of  the  Church  of  the  Holy  Apostles  is  six 
feet  in  height,  and  possesses  a  well-formed  body.  His 
face  is  oval,  his  head  is  finely  shaped,  and  his  hair  and 
whiskers  are  gray.  Most  of  the  Missioners  are  men  of 
maturity,  and  Missioner  Thompson  appears  to  be  about 
fifty  years  of  age  ;  but  his  eye  is  bright  and  his  complexion 
ruddy.  His  facial  expression  changes  with  the  change 
of  sentiment  in  parts  of  his  sermon.  When  proclaiming  Gos- 
pel promises  his  radiant  face  beams  gladness  into  the 
hearts  of  hearers  who  are  sorrowful.  After  the  first  few  para- 
graphs of  his  sermon  the  people  become  accustomed  to  the 
English  cadences  of  his  musical  voice.  He  no  longer  keeps 
one  arm  behind  his  surplice,  but  uses  graceful  gestures, 
and  his  fluencv  of  utterance  increases.    His  voice  and  eme- 


ORATORICAL  GIFTS  OF  THE  MI  SSI  OXERS.  617 

tions  are  under  control,  and  while  talking  with  rapidity  he 
is  self-possessed.  Occasionally  he  uses  the  falling  inflec- 
tion, as  if  he  had  reached  the  close  of  his  sermon.  But, 
without  tantalizing  his  hearers  by  saying  "  just  one  word 
more,"  and  preaching  for  another  half  hour,  he  proceeds 
as  if  he  had  much  more  to  say  on  the  fulness  in  his  text. 
His  style  of  oratory  is  the  subdued  conversational,  and  the 
hearer  mentally  says  :  "  He  is  preaching  to  me."  What  a 
French  critic  said  respecting  a  preacher  in  Paris — viz., 
"  What  a  fine  voice  that  nose  has  !"  —may  not  be  truly  said 
of  Missioner  Thompson. 

THE    REV.    JAMES    STEPHENS,    THE    CHILDREN 's    MISSIONER. 

If  the  reader  can  imagine  that  he  can  see  Missioner  Ste- 
phen's beaming,  pleasant  face,  and  hear  his  agreeable 
voice,  an  idea  may  be  formed  of  how  he  interested  the  large 
congregations  of  children  by  embodying  Gospel  truths  in 
simple  but  vivid  pictorial  representations,  that  brought 
before  their  mental  vision  the  sheep  with  the  injured  limb, 
the  sheep  that  was  lost,  the  good  shepherd  exhausting  his 
strength  to  seek  it,  his  joy  when  he  had  found  it  ;  and,  by 
an  easy  transition,  next  depicting  the  Saviour's  love  for 
"  the  little  ones,"  His  desire  for  their  temporal  and  eternal 
welfare,  and,  by  description,  almost  causing  them  to  im- 
agine that  they  hear  an  echo  of  the  rejoicing  by  the  angels 
when  they  learn  that  another  precious  lamb,  rescued  by 
Christ,  the  Good  Shepherd,  is  now  safe  in  His  fold  on 
earth,  and  -watched  over  by  His  under-shepherd. 

Different  clergymen,  like  different  stars  in  the  firmament, 
shine  with  different  degrees  of  brightness  ;  yet  each  is  a 
star.  One  Missioner' s  oratory  resembles  a  storm,  another's 
a  calm  ;  yet,  like  the  silent  or  the  loud  forces  of  nature,  each 
is  more  or  less  adapted  to  the  specific  need  of  different 
souls.     God  has  raised  up  preachers  of  different  tempera- 


618  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ments  and  gifts  of  utterance  to  move  saints  and  sinners 
who  possess  similar  temperaments.  In  the  apostolic  age 
some  preferred  St.  Paul,  others  Apollos,  others  Cephas. 
On  some  souls  what  is  equivalent  to  the  earthquake  fire 
or  storm  or  the  thunderings  of  Sinai  is  effective  ;  but 
on  others  the  still,  small  voice  or  the  refreshing  breeze  pro- 
duce the  same  results.  Even  a  clergyman  who  is  himself 
a  battery  of  Gospel  earnestness,  and  at  times  an  oratorical 
thunderer,  did  not  fancy  Missioner  Aitken's  style  of  preach- 
ing, but  "  admired  the  serene  manner  and  more  gentle 
tones  of  Missioner  Pigou." 


THE  REV.    J''.  11 A  Y  AITKEN,  MA.  (519 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE    REV.    W.    HAY    AITKEN,    M.A. 

His  First  Evangelistic  Labors — A  Curate  at  St.  Jude 's  Church 
—  The  Vicar  of  Ever  ton — His  Personal  Appearance — His 
Style  of  Oratory  —  His  Churclwianship  —  ' '  Pure,  Genial 
Mirthf  ulness,  Here  and  in  Heave?i. 

Years  ago  an  American  clergyman,  who  is  now  the 
esteemed  Rector  of  one  of  our  New  York  churches,  in- 
quired of  a  fellow-traveller  in  an  English  railway  carriage  : 
11  Who  is  the  youth  making  such  a  stir  in  the  north  of 
Scotland  ?"  The  elderly  gentleman  promptly  answered  : 
"  He  is  my  own  son,  and  his  name  is  Aitken."  So  soon  as 
practicable  the  American  clergyman  was  a  guest  in  the 
parsonage,  and  a  worshipper  in  the  parish  church  of  Pen- 
deen,  Cornwall.  He  was  amazed  at  Father  Aitken' s  power 
of  soul-moving  oratory  and  the  fervid  devotion  of  his  con- 
gregation at  the  stately  services  on  Sundays,  and  those  less 
formal  held  on  week-days. 

"  Young  Aitken  "  became  known  in  Scotland  through 
the  inability  of  the  eminent  Scotch  Evangelist,  Brownlow 
North,  to  accompany  Hay  McDowell,  Esq.,  on  an  Evan- 
gelistic tour  in  the  north  of  Scotland  ;  and  so  he  concluded 
to  take  his  nephew,  W.  Hay  McDowell  Aitken,  to  aid  him 
at  the  services.  His  now  of  Gospel  eloquence  amazed 
those  who  heard  him,  and  in  a  short  time  four  thousand 
people  assembled  to  hear  the  eloquent  uncle  and  his  youth- 
ful nephew. 


620  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1859  the  young  Evangelist  matric- 
ulated at  Wadham  College,  of  the  University  at  Oxford. 
Though  he  conducted  Evangelistic  services  twice  each  week 
at  an  adjacent  place,  he  was  a  diligent  student,  and  obtained 
a  diploma  of  classical  honors.  He  took  his  college  degree 
in  1865,  and  had  his  choice  of  sixteen  curacies.  He  chose 
to  serve  as  a  curate  of  Rev.  W.  Pennefather,  the  Evangelical 
Vicar  of  St.  Jude's  Church,  Mildmay  Park,  Islington,  Lon- 
don. A  few  years  later  he  became  the  Vicar  of  Christ 
Church,  Everton,  Liverpool.  While  Vicar  of  Everton  he 
devoted  a  part  of  each  year  to  mission  work  in  other  towns 
and  cities  ;  and  the  largest  churches  and  halls  were  too 
small  to  contain  the  thousands  of  persons  who  desired  to 
hear  his  mission  message.  When  Evangelist  Moody  closed 
his  services  in  London  and  Liverpool,  Missioner  Aitken 
was  the  only  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  who 
could  attract  to  the  same  halls  thousands  of  hearers.  Mr. 
Moody  urged  him  to  give  up  parochial  duty,  and  to  do 
"  the  work  of  an  Evangelist  ;"  and,  after  due  considera- 
tion, he  decided  to  do  so. 

Missioner  Aitken  is  about  six  feet  in  height,  has  a  grace- 
fully-formed body  and  a  well-balanced  head.  His  fore- 
head is  high,  his  eyes  are  dark,  his  nose  is  prominent, 
and  his  countenance  intellectual.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Watts 
said  : 

"  Were  I  so  tall  I  could  reach  the  skies, 
Or  grasp  the  ocean  in  my  span, 
I'll  not  be  measured  by  my  height — 
The  mind's  the  standard  of  the  man." 

This  is  true  ;  yet  Mr.  Aitken's  physique  and  commanding 
presence  add  to  his  influence,  as  did  the  noble  form  of  his 
revered  father.  He  is  full  of  zeal,  and  concentrates  his 
gifts  and  graces  to  lead  sinners  to  the  Saviour.  His  ser- 
mons grow  from  his  text  as  natural  branches  of  the  good 


THE  REV.   W.  HA  V  AITKEN,  M.A.  621 


olive-tree  of  truth.  He  speaks  with  the  force  of  conviction, 
and  emphasizes  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord,"  whether  prefixed 
to  promises  or  to  threatenings  ;  and  if  the  Gospel  of  God's 
grace  be  not  received,  he  solemnly  asks  :  "  How  can  ye 
escape  if  ye  neglect  so  great  salvation  ?" 

As  the  Gospel  appeals  to  intellect,  heart,  and  will,  Mis- 
sioner  Aitken,  in  the  introduction  of  his  sermon,  interprets 
his  text  like  a  cool  philosopher,  in  the  treatment  of  its 
subject  reasons  as  a  skilled  logician,  and  in  its  conclusion 
appeals  like  a  master  of  sacred  rhetoric.  His  voice  is  rich, 
deep,  and  flexible,  and  of  unusual  compass.  He  uses  his 
vocal  powers  as  a  skilful  organist  the  stops  of  his  organ, 
and  can  increase  the  volume  of  his  voice  from  an  almost 
inaudible  whisper,  until  its  increasing  tones  ring  through 
the  largest  church.  But  he  does  not  utter  benedictions 
and  maledictions  as  if  they  were  identical.  When  speak- 
ing words  of  consolation  his  tone  is  pathetic  ;  when  he 
warns  it  is  commanding  ;  when  he  beseeches  it  is  full  of 
pathos  ;  and  as  there  is  harmony  between  his  emotional 
tones  and  what  he  utters,  his  words  do  not  point  in  one 
direction  and  his  tones  directly  opposite.  When  he  occa- 
sionally pauses,  all  is  as  still  as  if  no  one  breathed.  Under 
the  power  of  a  touching  appeal  heads  droop,  sighs  escape, 
tears  start,  and  imploring  looks  say  :  "  O  Lord,  have 
mercy  upon  me  !"  And  when  describing  the  love  of  God 
revealed  in  His  Son,  tears  are  dried,  sadness  departs,  and 
faces  beam  with  brightness. 

HIS    SERMONS    ARE    MODELS    OF    PLAIN    DISCOURSE, 

and  strike  home  unflinchingly.  One  aged  broker  said  :  "  I 
have  seen  men  shed  tears  while  listening  to  Mr.  Aitken, 
whom  I  never  suspected  of  having  a  heart  !"  His  plain 
and  searching  sermons  in  Old  Trinity  created  a  greater  stir 
than  his  famous  series  to  men,  preached   in  the  vicinity  of 


622  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  Bank,  of  England  during  the  last  mission  held  in  Lon- 
don. 

In  Church  polity  and  ritual  he  is  a  "  High  Church- 
man "  ;  in  doctrine  he  is  "  Evangelical"  ;  but  his  grasp 
of  truth  is  broad.  With  natural  and  exegetical  science  he 
is  familiar  ;  but  his  theology  is  not  modern,  and  he  wastes 
no  time  trying  to  discover  what  God  has  not  been  pleased 
to  reveal.  That  St.  Paul  left  his  cloak  at  Troas  he  does 
not  doubt,  but  the  nature  or  the  color  of  the  fabric  gives 
him  as  little  concern  as  what  was  written  on  the  parchments 
which  St.  Paul  had  left  at  Troas. 

Because  he  firmly  believes  whatever  God  has  been 
pleased  to  reveal,  his  sermons  are  not  divisions  of  postu- 
lates, but  inductive  conclusions  from  texts  and  contexts, 
exegetically  and  rhetorically  declared.  His  prevailing  tone 
is  affectionate,  and,  like  St.  John,  he  comforts  the  discon- 
solate ;  but  to  unbelievers  of  "  the  record  that  God  hath 
given  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  His  Son,"  and 
who  "  make  God  a  liar,"  like  St.  John,  he  can  be  a  Bo- 
anerges or  son  of  thunder.  He  possesses  a  keen  sense  of 
humor,  and  can  utter  words  of  scathing  satire  ;  but  he 
mingles  judgment  with  mercy.  With  a  few  master-strokes 
of  rhetoric  he  sketches  different  characters. 

MISSIONER    AITKEN's    SKETCH    OF  ZACCHEUS. 

The  publican's  declaration,  "  Behold,  Lord,  the  half  of 
my  goods  I  give  unto  the  poor,"  was  not  an  act  of  osten- 
tation, but  rather  of  confession.  The  astonished  fellow- 
publicans  who  heard  him  announce  this  decision  would  be 
slow  to  admire  him  on  account  of  it,  and  be  disposed  to 
think  their  old  friend  and  chief  had  "  lost  his  head."  But 
whatever  the  act  may  have  seemed,  it  really  was  a  definite 
and  final  breaking  with  a  besetting  sin.  Zaccheus,  in  giv- 
ing away  half  his  fortune  at  a  stroke,  broke  forever  with 


THE  REV.   Il\  II A  Y  MJKE.Y,   M.A.  623 

Mammon,  and  severed  his  golden  chain.  And  men  do  well 
to  take  stern  measures  with  besetting  sins. 

IT    DOES    NOT    DO    TO    TRIFLE    WITH    OLD    FOES. 

Zaccheus  could  not  afford  to  be  rich,  and  so  he  eases  him- 
self of  the  fatal  burden.  It  would  be  well  if  those  who 
share  his  temptation  in  this  respect  use  equally  sum- 
mary measures,  and  escape  from  temptation  by  consecrat- 
ing to  the  glory  of  God  and  to  the  good  of  man  that  which 
has  well-nigh  been  their  ruin.  The  conversion  of  the 
heart  should  be  followed  by  a  conversion  of  the  purse.  It 
was  easy  to  become  the  Zaccheus  who  received  Christ,  and 
he  hoped  his  hearers  would  follow  the  example  of  the  pub- 
lican who  became  a  noble  man,  respected  and  beloved,  in- 
stead of  a  mean,  avaricious  man,  whom  none  called  a 
friend.  This  versatile  Missioner  can  be  sarcastic  as  the 
Prophet  Elijah,  or  rugged  as  John  the  Baptist,  or  scathing 
as  the  Psalmist,  who  said  to  the  foes  of  Jehovah  : 

"  He  that  sitteth  in  the  heavens  shall  laugh, 
The  Lord  shall  have  them  in  derision  !" 

He  can  be  courageous  as  St.  Paul  or,  like  St.  John,  unroll 
scroll  after  scroll  depicting  the  conflicts  of  the  Gospel — 
Christ's  Messianic  victories,  His  militant  Church  trium- 
phant, and  in  the  New  Jerusalem  shining  in  His  glories 
and  singing  doxologies. 

MISSIONER    AITKEN    IS    GENIAL    AND  HOPEFUL. 

While  his  veneration  is  great,  and  he  preaches  in  a  reveren- 
tial tone,  neither  as  a  preacher  nor  as  a  Christian  is  his 
manner  repelling  ;  for  the  command,  "  Rejoice  evermore, 
and  in  everything  give  thanks, ' '  does  not  mean,  * '  Groan  al- 
ways, and  of  everything  complain."  The  mandate,  "  Al- 
ways abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,"  is  analogous  to 
the   command,   "  Abounding   in    faith,    hope,    and    love." 


624  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

The  waves  of  the  ocean  following  each  other,  and  rising 
higher  and  higher,  is  a  picture  of  how  labor,  and  faith, 
and  hope,  and  love  ought  to  abound.  Reason  is  limited 
to  the  things  of  sense,  but  faith  soars  to  realms  that  reason 
cannot  penetrate.  Conscience,  the  soul's  moral  tribunal, 
would  keep  the  soul  in  chains  of  bondage  ;  but  hope  breaks 
the  fetters,  and  soars  to  realms  of  bliss,  and  banishes  slavish 
fear.  Love,  which  is  gratified  by  possessing  the  object  de- 
sired, through  faith  and  hope  anticipates  bliss,  celestial  and 
eternal  ;  and  to  "  abound  in  faith,  hope,  and  love"  is  to 
enjoy  the  peace  of  God,  which  flows  like  the  river,  but 
abounds  like  the  sea.     He  exhorts  Christians  to 

"  WATCH  AGAINST  MOROSENESS.  " 

Blessed  with  a  happy  disposition,  he  does  not  sympathize 
with  "spiritual  melancholia,"  but  rather  with  the  quaint 
Divine  who  said  :  "  When  some  Christians  are  very  bilious 
they  consider  themselves  very  pious  !"  Missioner  Aitken 
closed  his  last  sermon  at  the  mission  in  New  Orleans,  say- 
ing :  "  Watch  against  moroseness  ;  be  happy  in  your  re- 
ligion ;  keep  from  wearing  long  faces.  I  believe  in  a  jolly 
Christian — there  is  plenty  of  holy  laughter  above.  Pure, 
genial  mirth  has  its  proper  place  both  here  and  in  heaven. 
At  God's  right  hand  are  pleasures  forevermore  ;  and  en- 
joying foretastes,  he  sings  : 

"  '  Cease,  my  soul,  O  cease  to  mourn, 

Press  onward  to  the  prize; 
Soon  thy  Saviour  will  return, 

Triumphant  in  the  skies  ; 
There  is  everlasting  peace, 

Rest,  enduring  rest  in  heaven  ; 
There  will  sorrow  ever  cease, 

And  crowns  of  joy  be  given.'  " 


MANIFEST  RESULTS  OF  THE  ADVENT  MISSION.    626 


CHAPTER   XXXV. 

THE    MANIFEST    RESULTS    OF    THE    ADVENT    MISSION. 

The  Mission  a  Benefit  to  the  Clergy — To  Laymen — To  No?i- 
Communicants — Summary  of  the  Mission  s  Results — Testimony 
of  the  New  York  Independent  — The  Rev.  Dr.  Satierlee  Hope- 
ful—  The  Parochial  Mission  Society. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D.,  in  his  address  at  the 
preparatory  devotional  service  in  the  Church  of  the  Heaven- 
ly Rest,  wisely  warned  the  clergy  "  not  to  expect  too 
much,"  and,  on  the  other  hand,  "  not  to  expect  too  lit- 
tle." And  the  Rectors  who  cherished  reasonable  expecta- 
tions did  not  expect  results  from  services  for  only  ten  days 
that  had  not  appeared  from  ordinary  ministrations  in  as 
many  years  !  The  Rectors  generally  speak  encouragingly 
respecting  the  good  results  of  the  mission  already  mani- 
fest, and  hopefully  respecting  the  permanent  good  results 
after  the  good  seed  sown  shall  have  had  time  to  grow. 
The  Advent  Mission  was  not  a  harvest,  but  a  fallow  ground 
ploughing  and  a  Gospel  seed-sowing  season,  and  any 
great  ingathering  must  be  in  the  future. 

(i)    THE    MISSION    A    BENEFIT    TO    THE    CLERGY. 

The  spiritual  strength  of  many  has  been  renewed,  and 
some  who  were  lukewarm  are  now  fervent.  Some  of  the 
clergy  who  were  despondent  are  now  encouraged  ;  for  they 
see  the  signs  of  life  in  the  branch  of  Christ's  Church  which 
they  dearly  love,  and  new  evidences  tjiat  the  old  Gospel  of 


62 G  777^    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Christ  is  not  becoming  obsolete,  but  is  still  "  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation."  Contact  with  the  Missioners  re- 
enkindled  waning  zeal  and  brightened  hope  ;  and  their 
modes  of  presenting  unchangeable  truth  have  removed  the 
fear  that  pew-owners  or  pew-hirers  would  not  quietly 
submit  to  preachers  who  depicted  their  own  shortcomings 
as  well  as  the  iniquity  of  the  antediluvians  and  the  sins  of 
the  Israelites. 

(2)    LAYMEN    FIND    A    FIELD    OF    USEFULNESS. 

Heretofore,  with  but  rare  exceptions,  talented  laymen 
have  had  their  talents  buried  in  the  napkin  of  undue 
caution.  Hereafter,  in  addition  to  the  duty  of  giving  of 
their  substance,  they  will  have  the  privilege  of  doing  active 
service  according  to  their  ability,  and  to  aid  the  over- 
worked Rectors.  The  mission  opened  an  outlet  for  pent- 
up  zeal,  and  enthusiastic  clergymen  and  laymen  may  allow 
their  fervor  to  flame  in  the  church  candlestick  to  which 
they  belong.  The  mission  has  opened  various  doors  of 
usefulness,  and  Christian  women  will  take  delight  in  aiding 
their  Rectors,  by  visiting  the  sick  and  needy,  the  poor  and 
afflicted,  and  also  in  urging  non-church-attendants  to  use 
the  seats  in  the  church  not  always  occupied. 

(3)    THE    MISSION    A  BLESSING    TO    NON -COMMUNICANTS. 

Many  of  those  who  could  not  sincerely  sing  the  "  Ven- 
ite,"  "  Gloria  in  Excelsis,'*  and  "  Te  Deum"  through  the 
mission  have  been  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  heartily 
rejoice  in  the  strength  of  God's  salvation,  and  with  their 
hearts,  as  well  as  with  their  lips,  sing,  "  We  praise  Thee, 
O  God."  Some  who  feared  the  results  of  an  elastic  use  of 
the  Prayer-Book  have  concluded  that  parts  suitable  for  de- 
voted Christians  are  not  appropriate  for  services  designed 
to  reach  the  godless,  reckless,  and  profane,  who  should  not 


MANIFEST  RESULTS  OF  THE  API']-:. XT  MISSIOA 


be  expected  to  recite  the  Apostles'  Creed  until  they  believe 
it,  nor  to  sing  the  "  Te  Deum"  until  they  have  ceased  to 
blaspheme  God's  holy  name. 

(4)    THE    MISSION    HAS    ALREADY    REMOVED    PREJUDICE. 

Two  laborers  who  were  on  their  way  to  commence  their 
daily  labor,  when  passing  an  Episcopal  Church  in  Balti- 
more, where  the  author  was  conducting  a  mission,  one 
of  the  two  asked  :  "  What  kind  of  Christians  attend  this 
church  ?"  The  other  answered  :  "  People  who  gets  up  and 
sits  down  at  the  public  service  Sundays  ;  and  that's  the  end 
on't  !"  The  man  who  seriously  gave  this  quaint  but  some- 
what ironical  reply  voiced  what  many,  concerning  Episco- 
palians, then  believed,  whether  what  his  words  implied 
were  true  or  untrue.  But  if  a  similar  statement  were 
made  to-day  in  respect  to  Churchmen  in  New  York,  the 
numerous  daily  services  of  missions,  attended  by  many  of 
the  sons  of  toil,  could  contradict  the  implication  that 
Episcopal  churches  in  New  York  City  are  places  for  per- 
sons who  admire  Liturgical  services  and  hear  artistic  music 
Sundays,  but  do  no  religious  work  on  week-days  ;  for  to 
the  Advent  Mission  services  working  people  were  heartily 
welcomed — those  plainly  attired  as  well  as  those  robed  in 
costly  attire — by  polite  ushers,  were  not  left  to  stand  at 
church  vestibules,  but  readily  conducted  to  eligible  seats. 
The  extensively  circulated  notices  of  the  numerous  ser- 
vices, and  the  invitations,  "  Come  to  the  mission  !  Come 
in  your  working  clothes  !"  convinced  the  masses  who  read 
them  that  the  Episcopal  Church  in  New  York,  like  other 
religious  bodies,  now  cares  for  the  soul  welfare  of  citizens 
who  are  neither  rich  nor  learned. 

(5)    SUMMARY    OF    THE    MISSION' S    MANIFEST    RESULTS. 

.  Moral  results  may  not  be  summed   up  by  rules  of  arith- 


628  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

metic  ;  and  the  attempt  to  number  the  new-born  babes  of 
Israel  to  God  may  not  be  pleasing.  Included  in  the  ac- 
knowledged benefits  resulting  from  the  mission  are: 
(a)  The  value  of  Liturgic  flexibility  and  brief  services  for 
special  occasions,  (b)  The  ability  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
to  benefit  all  classes  of  society,  (c)  The  willingness  of 
people  to  listen  to  intensely  practical  sermons  on  Gospel 
threatenings  as  well  as  to  its  promises,  (d)  The  praise 
fervor  congregational  singing  incited,  (e)  The  gladness  of 
the  laity  to  co-operate  with  the  clergy  to  lead  to  Christ  the 
Christless.  (/)  Zeal  incited  in  Rectors  by  contact  with  the 
Missioners.  (g)  That  a  "  revival  "  may  be  efficient  with- 
out undue  excitement.  (/i)  Rectors  who  were  timid  have 
bade  their  fears  "  depart."  And  some  who  had  looked 
coldly  at  the  mission  are  now  enthusiastic  in  view  of  its 
success.  (/)  Zeal  has  been  increased  in  other  Christian 
bodies,  and  their  sympathy  with  the  Advent  Mission  has 
been  warmly  expressed,  and  by  Churchmen  appreciated. 
(/)  Increased  charity  in  Churchmen  for  Christians  who  do 
not  prefer  the  Episcopal  form  of  Church  polity,  (k)  The 
indications  that  hereafter  "  non-Churchmen"  will  not  say 
that  "  Episcopalians  have  a  beautiful  Liturgy,  but  no  per- 
sonal piety  ;"  and  that  Churchmen  will  not  say  :  "  Minis- 
ters not  by  bishops  ordained  have  no  valid  authority  to 
preach  Christ's  Gospel."  (Some  time  ago  a  Methodist 
said  he  was  gratified  that  a  Churchman  recognized  him  as 
11  a  soldier  of  Christ's  militia,  even  though  he  was  not  a 
soldier  of  the  regular  militant  army."  During  the  mis- 
sion Rectors  were  glad  to  welcome  as  fellow-helpers 
Methodists  and  other  Christians  who  prayed  for  the  success 
of  the  Advent  Mission,  and  who  had  invited  sinners  and 
saints  to  attend  the  services.)  (/)  Churchmen,  "  high,  low, 
and  broad,"  or,  as  ironically  paraphrased  in  England, 
"  Attitudinarians,  Latitudinarians,  and   Platitudinarians," 


MANIFEST  RESULTS  OF  THE  ADVENT  MISSION. 

forgot  their  ecclesiastical  dimensions,  and,  as  publicly 
stated  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McKim,  "  locked  their  theological 
differences  in  the  church  cabinet  of  curiosities,  and  silenced 
their  shibboleths."  (in)  They  more  fully  realized  that, 
while  rhetorical  sermons  may  be  musical  to  the  ear  and 
philosophic  themes  may  please  the  intellect,  only  the 
Gospel's  "  bread  and  water  of  life"  can  satisfy  the  hunger- 
ing and  thirsting  soul  ;  and  as  man  has  an  emotional  as 
well  as  an  intellectual  faculty,  more  than  heretofore,  to 
allure  the  intellect  and  touch  the  heart,  and  move  the  will 
to  consecrate  to  Christ,  body,  soul,  and  spirit,  many  Rec- 
tors will  base  their  sermons  on  themes  connected  with  the 
facts,  precepts,  threatenings,  and  promises  of  Christ's 
Gospel  which  they  were  ordained  to  preach.  (//)  Through 
11  The  Advent  Awakening"  the  Rev.  Dr.  Langford,  the 
General  Secretary  of  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary 
Society,  published  a  paper  that  was  placed  in  the  pews 
of  the  Episcopal  churches,  requesting  that  Churchmen 
pray  for  blessings  on  "  bishops  and  other  ministers."  In 
the  requests  for  special  blessings  is  included  :  "  Pray 
that  the  Spirit  of  God  may  be  poured  upon  all  flesh,  and 
that  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  may  see  the  salvation  of 
God."  (o)  Other  Christian  bodies  are  offering  earnest 
prayer  for  a  Pentecostal  blessing.  (/)  There  are  cheering 
indications  that  the  wave  of  revival  which  has  reached  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  New  York  as  never  before,  will  reach 
all  the  Episcopal  and  other  churches  throughout  the  United 
States,  float  all  who  are  moored  at  the  stagnant  docks  of 
worldliness  and  selfishness  to  a  region  higher  and  brighter 
and  purer  ;  and  also  cheering  signs  that,  with  "  the  blessed 
company  of  all  faithful  people,"  a  large  number  of  more 
sinners   saved   will   unite  with  them,  singing  : 

"  Oh  happy  day  that  fixed  my  choice 
On  Thee,  my  Saviour  and  my  God." 


G30  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

INFLUENCE    OF    THE  NOONDAY    SERVICES  IN  ' '  OLD    TRINITY." 

The  manner  in  which  the  church  was  crowded  proved 
how  fully  the  hearers  appreciated  the  Missioned s  faithful 
warnings  and  heartfelt  appeals.  The  evening  before  the 
mission  in  Trinity  Church  was  commenced  a  broker  said 
that  not  more  than  fifty  business  men  would  be  present  at 
a  noonday  service.  When  told,  "  The  church  will  prob- 
ably be  filled,"  he  said  :  "  No,  no  ;  it  can't  be  done  !  The 
only  way  to  get  the  church  filled  with  business  men  would 
be  to  have  a  telegraph  ticker  placed  in  each  pew."  Yet, 
without  an  attempt  to  make  a  compromise,  to  enable  men 
in  the  church  to  serve  at  the  same  service  both  God  and 
Mammon,  the  edifice  was  crowded  daily  by  bankers, 
brokers,  and  other  business  men,  who  had  left  their  "  tick- 
ers "  in  their  offices,  many  of  whom  had  probably  dis- 
pensed with  lunch  to  have  the  hour  to  spare  to  hear  Mis- 
sioner  Aitken.  A  Presbyterian  clergyman  said  to  a  friend 
in  Trinity  Church  :  "  I  know  1  shall  hear  the  Gospel  in 
some  of  its  varied  aspects  every  time  Mr.  Aitken  preaches." 

An  influential  citizen  said  :  "  We  have  seen  many  large 
audiences  in  the  past  in  New  York,  but  have  never  seen  so 
many  middle-aged  and  gray-haired  business  men  in  any 
religious  or  political  gathering  anywhere  as  at  Trinity 
Church  during  the  past  few  days.  One  would  think,  to 
see  the  crowd  of  well-known  citizens  at  these  services, 
that  nearly  all  the  brokers,  bankers,  insurance,  and  other 
corporate  officers  and  business  men  in  Wall  Street  and 
vicinity  were  there  as  attentive  listeners.  The  services 
begin  promptly  at  a  quarter-past  twelve,  and  close  as 
promptly  at  one  o'clock.  The  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Aitken  is,  in  every  respect,  excellent  and  appropriate. 
Without  waste  of  time  or  words  the  truths  of  the  Bible  are 
plainly  and  forcibly  presented,  and  with  evident  effect. 
Every  eye  is  fixed  on  the  preacher,  and  not  a  word  or  a 


MAX  IFF.  ST  RESULTS  OF  THE  ADVENT  MISSION.    681 

point  seems  to  be  lost.  Good  men  of  all  denominations 
are  present  as  earnest  and  devout  worshippers.  The  sing- 
ing daily  is  a  most  interesting  and  impressive  feature  of 
these  services.  On  one  occasion,  when  the  whole  audience 
rose  and  sang  the  ninth  hymn  of  the  '  Mission  Hymnal,' 
it  seemed  to  us  that  very  few  present  were  or  could  be  un- 
moved. Tears  and  Christian  joy  were  plainly  visible  in  all 
parts  of  the  house." 

THE  PROPRIETOR  AND    EDITORS  OF    THE  "  INDEPENDENT," 

who  are  greatly  interested  in  parochial  missions  and  re- 
vivals in  other  churches,  say  :  "  The  Advent  Mission  is  not 
only  the  event  in  the  Church,  but  the  event  in  the  re- 
ligious world.  That  this  effort  of  the  Churchmen  of  New 
York  City  had  the  interest  and  sympathy  of  all  Christian 
people,  without  regard  to  denominational  names,  was  a 
great  factor  in  its  favor.  We  are  not  surprised  that  it  has 
been  a  success  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and,  what  is  of  far 
greater  consequence,  we  believe  that  it  has  been  a  success 
in  the  eyes  of  Heaven.  There  were  large  and  devout  con- 
gregations everywhere.  But  we  have  never  seen  a  nobler, 
a  more  earnest,  a  more  inspiring  congregation  than  the 
noonday  one  of  men  which  assembled,  day  after  day,  at 
the  services  in  Old  Trinity.  It  was  a  congregation  that 
moved  one  to  tears  of  joy  just  to  look  at.  When  it  bowed 
its  head  and  repeated  the  Lord's  Prayer  the  effect  was 
overpowering.  We  can  only  say,  as  St.  John  said,  we 
heard  a  voice  '  as  the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the 
voice  of  a  great  thunder.'  " 

THE    MISSION    FLAME    NOT    TO    BE    EXTINGUISHED. 

A  new-born  babe,  if  uncared  for  and  exposed  to  blight- 
ing winds,  would  speedily  die.  So  the  babes  recently 
born  into  Christ's  fold  will  require  nurturing  care  that  the 


632  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

storms  of  worldliness  may  not  destroy  them  ;  and  various 
agencies  will  be  employed  to  aid  Rectors  in  caring  for 
them,  and  also  to  add  to  their  number.  And  as  a  mission 
is  not  a  sudden  flame  of  religious  fervor  soon  to  be  put  out 
or  die  of  itself,  as  there  was  diligent  preparation  for  the 
Advent  Mission,  so  there  will  be  a  diligent  use  of  wise 
measures  to  follow  it  up,  in  order  that  the  enkindled  flame 
of  a  more  intense  and  active  religious  life  may  shine 
brighter  and  brighter  until  Christ  appear  in  all  His  glory. 

"  Come,  Holy  Ghost,  Creator,  come, 
Inspire  these  souls  of  Thine  ; 
Till  every  heart  which  Thou  hast  made 
Be  filled  with  grace  Divine. 
"  Thou  art  the  Comforter,  the  gift 
Of  God,  and  fire  of  holy  love, 
The  everlasting  spring  of  joy, 
And  unction  from  above." 

What  this  church  has  done  during  the  century  past  is  cheer- 
ing, but,  in  comparison  with  what  will  be  accomplished 
through  God's  blessing  on  "  Parochial  Missions,"  the  past, 
compared  with  the  future,  will  resemble  the  contrast 
between  the  rays  of  light  at  moonlight  and  the  sun's  bright- 
ness at  noonday. 

"  Fly  swifter  round,  ye  wheels  of  time, 
And  bring  the  welcome  day." 

FUTURE    BLESSINGS    PRAYED    FOR. 

Many  ardently  desire  that  the  manifest  results  of  the 
Advent  Mission  may  not  be  limited  to  the  rich  and  in- 
fluential parishes,  enabled  to  have  a  mission  by  reason  of 
their  ability  to  meet  the  expenses,  but  soon  extend  to  par- 
ishes which  could  not  afford  to  do  so,  and  also  to  those 
whose  Rectors  could  not  now  secure  the  particular  Mis- 
sioners  desired  ;  and  especially  to  the  large  number  of 
"  feeble  parishes,"  for  whose  invigoration  it  is  hoped  that, 


MANIFEST  RESULTS  OF  THE  ADVENT  MISSION.    633 

as  soon  as  practicable,  the  Bishop  will  provide  Missioners. 
And  fervent  prayers  are  ascending  to  Almighty  God  that 
the  spiritual  life  awakened  in  New  York  City  may  soon 
How  in  reciprocal  reviving  currents  through  every  parochial 
artery  of  the  diocese,  from  "  strong  parishes"  to  the  "  feeble 
parishes  ;"  and  also  from  diocese  to  diocese  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  until  bishops,  priests  and  dea- 
cons, and  the  faithful  laity  of  each  parish  in  all  the  dioceses 
shall  be  energized  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  warn  the  multi- 
tudes of  godless  masses  of  the  people  that  speedily  the  Arch, 
angel's  trumpet  may  summon  all  nations  to  stand  before 
the  judgment-seat  of  Christ.  Prayer  is  also  ascending 
that  in  all  the  churches  there  may  be  fervency  of  spirit  in 
the  people's  devotions,  sincerity  of  heart  in  their  Psalmody, 
and  that  after  the  season  of  Advent  the  clergy  may  prolong 
the  midnight  cry  :  "  Arise,  and  trim  your  lamps  !  Behold, 
the  Bridegroom  cometh  !     Go  ye  out  to  meet  Him  !" 

The  Rector  of  Calvary  Church  says  :  "  Each  Rector  who 
was  interested  in  the  mission  has  emphatically  said  that 
blessings  in  many  different  ways  have  already  smiled  upon 
their  parishes,  and  that  in  the  majority  of  cases  these  bless- 
ings are  in  forms  which  were  not  anticipated  :  (a)  The 
quiet   ways    of   the   Church   have   been   strictly  observed. 

(b)  Human  hearts  have  been  reached  and  incited  to  future 
work.  .  .  .  Hundreds  of  persons  who  in  the  past  excused 
themselves  from  doing  any  work  for  God,  and  shrank  from 
all  that  is  involved  in  self-sacrifice,  are  now  offering  them- 
selves   gladly   and    willingly    to    labor    in   Christ's    name. 

(c)  Parishes  have  broken  from  the  conventionalities  of  false 
conservatism,  to  bear  witness  for  Christ,  and  we  now  see 
how  unreal  and  artificial  were  the  bonds  that  held  us. 
(a)  Many  who  were  content  to  meet  at  the  great  feast  of 
the  Holy  Communion  once  a  month  are  urging  the  weekly 
celebration  as  the  great  means  by  which  their  souls  may 


634  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

be  strengthened  for  their  future  life's  work,  (e)  Churches 
whose  doors  have  been  closed  from  Sunday  to  Sunday  are 
now  open  the  entire  day  for  silent  prayer  or  for  the  daily 
service.  (/)  Clergy  and  laity  from  far  and  near  attended 
the  mission,  and  since  the  close  of  the  services  communica- 
tions regarding  missions  have  already  come  from  twenty- 
five  or  thirty  places. 

11  While  it  is  too  early  to  say  what  is  the  entire  harvest 
of  this  mission,  and  which,  in  all  probability,  will  only  be 
known  at  the  last  day,  no  one  has  the  right  to  say  that  it 
was  not  a  success,  and  that  the  harvest  was  not  plentiful. 
The  end  of  this  work,  which  was  founded  in  prayer,  sus- 
tained by  prayer  and  faith,  is  not  as  yet  reached.  It  may 
only  be  the  precursor  to  greater  and  more  permanent  re- 
sults than  the  most  sanguine  friend  may  imagine  ;  yet 
already  results  have  been  accomplished  in  a  unification  of 
schools  of  thought  and  of  parish  life  which  would  have 
been  deemed  absolutely  impossible  five  years  ago  ;  and 
what  greater  changes  and  larger  results  are  in  store  for  us 
no  mortal  man  can  foresee."  * 

A  Parochial  Mission  Society  has  been  organized  in  the 
diocese  of  New  York,  with  the  Rt.  Rev.  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D., 
as  the  president,  the  Rev.  George  B.  Van  De  Water,  secre- 
tary, and  Mr.  Samuel  A.  Blatchford,  treasurer.  This  society 
proposes  to  impart  information  through  literature  or  per- 
sonal experience.  It  will  assist  Rectors  in  obtaining  per- 
sons to  conduct  missions.  And  it  proposes  to  form  a  staff 
of  permanent  mission  preachers. 

*  Condensed  from  article  in  the  Churchman. 


NEW   YORK  ADVENT  Ml  SSI  OX  EXTENDING. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

THE    NEW    YORK    ADVENT    MISSION    FLAME    EXTENDING. 

The  Rev.  IV.  S.  Rainsford  in  Detroit — His  Cordial  Reception — 
The  Bishop  and  the  Clergy  Heartily  Co-operate  with  the  Mis- 
sioner — Ge?ieral  Interest  in  the  Services. 

With  his  fervor  increased  by  the  New  York  Advent  Mis- 
sion, the  Rector  of  St.  George's  Church  visited  Detroit, 
Mich.  On  his  arrival  at  the  Episcopal  residence  he  was 
cordially  welcomed  by  Bishop  Harris  and  his  clergy. 
They  proceeded  to  Grace  Church,  where  about  three  hun- 
dred lay  helpers  assembled  to  hear  the  Missioned  s  sugges- 
tions respecting  what  they  might  do  to  help  the  mission, 
and  how  to  efficiently  do  so. 

On  Sunday  morning,  January  3d,  the  mission  was  in- 
augurated in  St.  John's  Church  by  an  early  celebration  of 
the  Holy  Communion.  Except  on  Saturday  the  Holy 
Communion  was  daily  celebrated  at  noon  in  St.  Paul's 
Church,  and  in  the  evening  at  St.  John's.  At  each  evening 
service  many  persons  could  not  gain  admission  inside  the 
capacious  church.  As  impersonal  preaching  is  comparative- 
ly useless,  for  when  no  particular  persons  are  referred  to 
no  one  is  profited  or  offended,  the  courageous  Missioner's 
sermons  were  personal  and  practical  ;  and,  through  his 
directness  and  earnestness,  combined  with  a  spirit  of  ten- 
derness, many  persons  were  greatly  blessed. 

The  services  for  men  only  were  also  well  attended,  and 
the  heinousness   of  besetting   sins  were  not  concealed  by 


636  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

floral  rhetoric.  Numerous  requests  were  received  from  per- 
sons who  desired  that  special  prayer  be  offered  that  God 
would  specially  bless  the  writers,  their  relatives,  or  friends. 
Hundreds  recorded  their  testimony  that  God  had  greatly 
blessed  them,  and  were  grateful  to  His  servant,  who  had 
so  zealously  labored  to  promote  their  spiritual  welfare. 
Missioner  Rainsford  was  obliged  to  leave  them,  but  he  was 
followed  by  the  prayers  of  many,  who  will  not  forget  him. 
After  he  had  said  "  Good-by"  the  interest  in  the  mission 
continued. 

An  observer  writes  : 

"  Detroit,  Mich.,  January  18,  1886. 

"  Dear  Mr.  Bonham  :  I  thank  you  for  your  kind  note  of  January  1st. 
The  mission  in  Detroit  was  among  the  most  remarkable  that  I  have  ever 
witnessed.  The  services  crammed  the  large  Church  of  St.  Paul's  in  the 
heart  of  the  city.  On  many  occasions,  not  at  the  end  of  the  mission 
merely,  numbers  were  turned  away  at  the  door.  So  general  an  interest 
or  so  deep  a  spirit  of  spiritual  union  I  never  before  saw.  The  weather 
was  unfavorable  for  the  first  week,  yet  the  Church  of  St.  Paul's  was  quite 
unable  to  accommodate  the  crowds.  Methodists,  Presbyterians,  Baptists, 
and  some  leaders  of  the  Salvation  Army — all  were  there.  A  most  happy 
spirit  was  manifested  by  the  clergy. 

"  I  am  more  than  ever  convinced  of  the  great  work  that  remains  to  be 
done  through  a  wise  use  of  the  '  mission  '  in  our  Church  in  this  country. 
Bishop  Harris  was  enthusiastic  as  to  results  ;  and  I  think  we  all  felt  that 
great  as  the  spirit  of  expectation  in  Detroit  had  been,  God  did  more  for 
us  than  we  dared  ask  or  hope  for. 

"  Very  sincerely  yours, 


MISSIONS  IN  NASHVILLE  AND  NEW  ORLEANS.     837 


CHAPTER   XXXVII. 

MISSIONS    IN    NASHVILLE    AND    NEW    ORLEANS. 

Reception  of  the  Missioners — Missioner  Ait  ken  Interviewed — 
The  Unusual  Interest  in  the  Services — A  Good  Word  for 
Evangelist  Moody —  Work  for  Christ  Important — Converts 
?wt  like  a  Wound-up  Watch — Farewell  Greetings. 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Advent  Mission  in  St. 
George's  Church  Missioner  Aitken  left  for  Boston.  While 
in  the  city  he  preached  in  Trinity  Church,  of  which  the 
Rev.  Phillips  Brooks  is  the  renowned  Rector.  He  also 
preached  in  Tremont  Temple,  and  the  capacious  building 
was  crowded.  The  Bostonians  desired  the  Missioner  to 
stay  longer  in  their  city,  but  he  was  obliged  to  soon  leave, 
in  order  to  commence  the  announced  mission  in  Nashville. 
En  route  to  that  city  he  visited  Niagara  Falls  and  other 
places  of  interest.  The  magnificent  scenery  incited  his 
admiration,  and  he  has  doubtless  reiterated  to  his  coun- 
trymen in  England  :  "  America  is  indeed  a  great  coun- 
try— geographically,  politically,  commercially,  socially, 
and  ecclesiastically." 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Missioners  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
a  committee  cordially  greeted  them,  and  W.  S.  Brans- 
ford,  Esq.,  gladly  received  Mr.  Aitken  as  his  guest.  Mr. 
Stephens  was  the  guest  of  Captain  Drouillard.  Mrs. 
Crouch  and  Miss  Parker  were  conveyed  to  the  Maxwell 
Hotel. 


638    •  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

MR.     AITKEX    INTERVIEWED. 

Reporter.  "  Is  your  mission  a  revival  in  the  usual  ac- 
ceptation of  the  term  ?" 

Missioner  Aitken.  "  Yes  and  no.  The  term  revival  is 
an  elastic  expression.  My  work  is  distinctly  evangelistic, 
and  supplements  the  Pastor's  work." 

Reporter.   "  What  will  be  your  special  object  here  ?" 

Missioner  Aitken.  "  To  lead  people  to  know  of  the  in- 
tervention of  Divine  power.  Then  to  lead  them  to  avail 
themselves  of  its  benefits." 

Reporter.    "  What  is  your  revival  mode  ?" 

Missioner  Aitken.  "  I  deal  first  with  the  conscience, 
afterward  dwell  more  on  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel." 

The  congregations  at  the  commencement  of  the  mission 
were  so  large  that  the  First  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  was  kindly  loaned  for  some  of  the  services  ;  but 
the  usual  service  from  the  Church  of  England  Prayer-Book 
preceded  the  sermons.  Services  were  also  held  in  the 
Masonic  Theatre,  and  were  attended  by  more  persons  than 
had  assembled  at  any  theatrical  performance  during  the 
season.  At  one  of  the  services  in  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church  the  Missioner  pointed  out 

THE    DIFFERENCE    BETWEEN    THE    ANCIENT    AND    THE    MODERN 

PHARISEE. 

"  The  former,"  said  the  preacher,  "  speaks  his  thoughts 
right  out,  while  the  latter  clothes  his  thoughts  in  a  variety 
of  obscure  phrases,  a  jargon  of  conventional  expres- 
sions. I  would  rather  a  man  spoke  right  out  if  he  is  a 
sinner,  for  it  is  astonishing  how  men  of  high  character 
will  cloak  themselves  behind  self-righteousness.  I  don't 
think  there  is  anything  more  wonderful  than  the  readiness 
with  which  men  play  tricks  on  their  own  consciences.  As 
long  as  we  are  what  is  termed  good  citizens,  and  without 


MISSIONS  IN  NASHVILLE  AND  NEW  ORLEANS. 


one-fifteenth  part  of  the  religion  of  the  ancient  Pharisee, 
we  trust  implicitly  in  our  self-believing  supposed  religious 
standing.  The  Pharisee  was  an  honest  sort  of  a  man. 
God  and  he  were  on  very  good  terms  in  his  own  belief  ;  at 
least,  he  honestly  thanked  God  that  he  was  not  as  other 
men  were.  But  in  what  respect  does  our  religion  make  us 
different  from  other  men  ?  We  and  the  atheist  are  con- 
sidered good  citizens,  but  I  know  many  households  in  Eng- 
land where  an  atheist  will  spend  a  week  without  having  the 
faintest  conception  of  what  religion  his  entertainer  holds. 
The  East  Indians  have  been  known  to  question  gravely 
whether  the  people  of  Europe  have  any  religion  at  all. 

"  How  is  it  with  us  ?  Are  we  up  to  the  standard  of  that 
Pharisee  ?  How  many  a  man  to-day  whose  occupation  has 
been  a  curse  in  his  community  and  society  ?  This  Pharisee 
fasted  from  sunrise  to  sunset  twice  a  week.  His  religion 
cost  him  some  expense  of  bodily  comfort.  Does  our  re- 
ligion come  up  to  this  point  ?  Are  we  living  on  a  level, 
really,  with  the  Pharisee  ?  He  gave  one  dollar  out  of  every 
ten  to  the  poor,  and  the  Church  ten  dollars  out  of  every 
one  hundred.  If  every  man  who  is  a  Christian  by  calling 
gave  a  tithe  of  his  wealth  we  should  have  plenty  of  money  to 
efficiently  carry  forward  every  department  of  Church  work. 
How  many  of  you  think  that  the  Pharisee  gave  more,  much 
more,  than  you  ?  And  you  thank  God  you  are  not  a 
Pharisee  !  The  Jew  gave  a  dollar  ;  you  give  God  five 
cents.  But  there  is  a  voice  from  Galilee  which  says  :  "  Un- 
less your  righteousness  exceed  that  of  the  Pharisees,  you 
shall  in  nowise  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  We  all 
would  like  to  buy  eternal  life  cheaply.  Jesus  said  to  the 
lawyer  in  order  to  gain  this,  to  love  his  neighbor  as  himself. 
Many  of  you  are  trying  to  find  out  how  cheap  you  can  get 
to  heaven,  and  I  tell  you  in  that  case  you'll  neyer  get  there 
at  all.     The  Pharisees  took  a  superficial  view  of  heaven. 


640  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Adultery  !  The  man  who  gives  one  licentious  look  upon  a 
woman  has  already  committed  sin  in  the  heart.  Murder  ! 
Well,  the  man  who  hates  his  neighbor  commits  a  murder 
in  his  heart.  Theft  !  Well,  it  is  theft  to  tittle-tattle  away 
the  character  of  a  friend,  which  is  no  worse  and  no  better 
than  when  a  man  forswears  himself  in  the  witness-box  or 
pilfers  his  neighbor's  drawer.  So  the  Pharisee  explained 
away  God's  law,  but  he  forgot  that  the  sin  of  omission  is 
as  great  as  that  of  commission.  The  man  who  has  oppor- 
tunity of  doing  good  is  as  criminal  as  the  man  who,  having 
the  opportunity,  commits  wrong.  Do  not  flinch  from 
facts.  Are  you  earnestly  and  truly  endeavoring  to  live  for 
God  ?" 

THE    SERVICES    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

The  Rev.  J.  Stephens's  address  in  the  Church  of  the 
Advent  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  minds  of  "  the  little 
folk,"  and  his  sermons  to  young  people  "  surpassed  any 
services  of  the  kind  held  in  the  city."  The  children  united 
with  a  will  in  the  singing,  and  paid  the  strictest  attention  to 
the  speaker.  His  manner  was  freer  than  formerly,  and  the 
effect  of  his  novel  and  deeply  earnest  appeals  was  thereby 
the  stronger.  Nearly  every  one  remained  to  the  after- 
meeting,  and,  without  doubt,  seed  was  sown  in  youthful 
minds  and  hearts  which  will  be  productive  of  lasting 
good. 

SERVICES    FOR    WOMEN    ONLY. 

At  one  of  the  services  for  women  in  the  lecture-room  of 
the  McKendree  Church,  after  Miss  Parker  had  offered 
prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing  Mrs.  Crouch  made  an  ad- 
dress on  "  The  New  Life  in  Christ." 

"  We  get  in  a  way  of  thinking  things  are  right  just  as 
they  are.      There  may  be  some  present  who  are  in  a  state 


MISSIONS  FN  NASHVILLE  AND  NEW  ORLEANS.     641 

of  hesitation  whether  the  new  life  has  begun,  because  they 
have  been  in  such  indefinite  relations  with  God.  On  ac- 
count of  our  Christian  privilege  we  live  on,  hoping  all  is 
right,  and  we  never  come  to  the  place  where  the  Lord 
really  meets  us  on  a  common  ground  till  we  are  born  again. 
No  Church-membership  will  ever  beget  in  us  this  change. 
We  can  never  become  children  in  God  by  chance,  in  a 
spiritual  sense.  It  must  be  through  faith  in  Him  whom  He 
has  given  for  our  salvation.  How  many  of  us  believe  in 
and  appreciate  that  gift  ?  I  want  every  one  to  face  God 
this  evening  and  give  answer  to  this  important  question. 
The  change  is  sometimes  very  slow.  We  are  gradually 
drawn  to  Him  ;  yet  when  we  pass  from  death  to  life  it  is 
the  work  of  but  an  instant.  Now  sin  has  come  in  between 
you  and  God,  and  reconciliation  means  the  healing  of  the 
breach  through  the  intercession  of  Christ.  God  Himself 
is  satisfied  because  of  what  the  Lord  Christ  has  done  for 
you.  He  has  reckoned  with  Christ  instead  of  reckoning 
with  you.  Are  you,  then,  reconciled  to  God  through  Christ 
Jesus,  my  sisters,  or  is  there  a  burden  of  sin  still  lying  at 
your  heart  ?  Humbly  kneel  down  in  your  own  chamber, 
and  rise  not  again  until  you  have  left  your  sins  with  God." 

The  congregation  consisted  of  the  leading  ladies  of  Nash- 
ville, and  all  were  deeply  impressed  by  the  simple  and 
affectionate  manner  in  which  Mrs.  Crouch  set  the  truth 
before  them.  A  lady  who  was  present  said  :  "  Mrs.  Crouch 
is  a  woman  who  impresses  you  at  once  with  her  deep  ear- 
nestness and  her  consecration  to  her  great  work.  With  a 
voice  clear  and  strong,  and  an  enunciation  so  distinct  that 
every  syllable  can  be  heard  in  the  remotest  corners  of  the 
church,  and  the  gift  of  expressing  in  pure,  forcible  English 
the  thoughts  of  a  vigorous  mind  and  the  feelings  of  a  noble 
heart,  she  will  doubtless  do  much  and  lasting  good." 

The  mission  in  Nashville  caused  Church   polity  to  be  for 


642  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

a  season  subordinate  to  a  Church  mission,  that   resembled 

the  mission  of  John  the  Baptist,  who  cried  aloud  :   "  Repent 

ye,  for  the   kingdom   of   heaven   is  at  hand."     During  the 

mission    the    Holy    Communion    was    daily    celebrated    in 

Christ  Church  at  8  a.m.     The  Rectors  and  other  clergy  in 

Nashville  were  greatly  encouraged,  and  resolved  to  follow 

up   the  good    work   of   the  mission  by  united  prayer  and 

faithful  labors. 

Missioner   Aitken's  sermons  to  men  only  were  preached 

to   crowded   congregations,   and  many  doubtless  prayed  : 

"  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God,  and  renew  a  right 

spirit  within  me  !" 

» 

THE   MISSION    IN    NEW  ORLEANS,    LA. 

On  the  arrival  of  Missioner  Aitken  and  his  co-workers  in 
New  Orleans  they  were  cordially  received  and  hospitably 
entertained.  The  clergy  and  laity  heartily  co-operated 
with  the  Missioners  to  make  the  mission  profitable  to  all 
sorts  and  conditions  of  men.  The  interest  in  Missioner 
Aitken's  services  increased  wherever  he  conducted  a  mis- 
sion. In  New  Orleans  the  crowds  were  larger  and  the  re- 
sults more  satisfactory  than  at  any  other  mission  he  had 
held  in  America. 

THE    FAREWELL    SERVICE. 

Before  announcing  his  text  the  Missioner  said  :  "  I  wish 
to  thank  the  kind  friends  of  this  city  who  have  extended 
to  me  and  my  fellow-laborers  so  hearty  a  Christian  wel- 
come. Also  I  wish  to  thank  all  those  who  have  so  zeal- 
ously and  helpfully  co-operated  and  assisted  in  the  work 
of  the  mission,  which  is  now  about  to  close.  I  have  one 
special  request  to  make — that  you  will  remember  me  in 
your  prayers.  A  week  hence  we  shall  be  crossing  the 
ocean,  destined  for  home  ;  pray  that  we  may  have  a  safe 


MISSIONS  IN  NASHVILLE  AND  NEW  ORLEANS.     643 

and  prosperous  voyage  and  a  speedy  reunion  with  those 
dearest  to  us  on  earth. 

"Another  matter  I  wish  to  mention  is  that  your  com- 
munity are  soon  to  have  another  call  for  Christian  work. 
When  God  raises  up  such  a  man  as  D.  L.  Moody  to  pro- 
claim His  truth  and  honor  Him  by  giving  him  such  large 
ingatherings  of  souls,  we  may  well  rejoice  in  having  him 
among  us.  Let  me  urge  you  to  give  him  your  earnest  sup- 
port. Go  and  hear  him,  and  induce  all  your  unconverted 
friends  and  indifferent,  lukewarm  Christians  to  attend  his 
services.  I  am  thankful  to  be  followed  in  my  labors  by 
two  such  eminent  evangelists  as  D.  L.  Moody  and  Ira  D. 
Sankey.  May  God  greatly  bless  their  efforts  in  New 
Orleans  ! 

"  One  of  the  results  of  this  mission  should  be  the  draw- 
ing closer  together  Christians  of  all  denominations.  May 
you  be  bound  closer  in  the  ties  of  Christian  fellowship.  In 
your  conflict  with  the  foe,  you  need  the  strength  that  re- 
sults from  unity.  As  to  those  whom  I  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  addressing,  I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  take 
your  Pastors  by  storm  and  converse  with  them  about  your 
soul's  interests  and  about  entering  into  Christian  work. 
I  would  urge  you  to  make  good  use  of  the  opportunities  of 
Confirmation  ;  join  the  Church  at  once,  and  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  Christian  fellowship.  If  you  are  confirmed, 
attend  this  holy  ordinance  systematically.  My  rule  is  to 
communicate,  as  I  believe  the  apostles  did,  every  Lord's 
day.  They  met  together  to  break  bread,  not  to  hear  ser- 
mons or  sing  hymns,  but  to  commemorate  the  resurrection 
of  their  Lord." 

THE    COMPANY    CHRISTIANS    SHOULD    KEEP. 

Missioner  Aitken  said  :  "  If  you  go  into  worldly  society, 
except  for  the  purpose  our  Saviour  mingled  socially  with 


64i  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  people,  to  save  souls,  you  do  it  at  a  fearful  loss — the 
cost  of  your  spiritual  life.  Let  me  warn  you  against 
luxurious  indulgence  in  selfish  pleasures.  They  will  ruin 
you.  Rest  assured  that  when  this  is  why  you  enter  into 
social  gayeties  they  are  wrong  and  damaging. 

"  Furthermore,  dear  friends,  I  do  not  believe  in  lazy 
Christians.  It  is  impossible  for  a  man  to  be  a  Christian 
and  not  be  actively  engaged  in  some  kind  of  effort  to  lift 
souls  up  to  God.  Most  persons  turn  their  thoughts  to  the 
Sunday-school  as  the  work  to  be  done  ;  but  this  is  by  no 
means  the  only  work  requiring  your  attention.  There  is 
visiting  among  the  poor  and  neglected  ;  there  is  much  to 
be  done  in  the  prisons,  almshouses,  hospitals,  etc.;  but 
often  the  opportunity  is  within  your  own  circle — nay,  in 
your  own  homes.  Should  none  present  itself,  go  to  God, 
and  pray  that  He  will  show  you  what  He  wants  you  to  do, 
and  set  before  you  an  open  door  which  no  man  can  shut. 
Remember,  this  is  important,  for  a  man  cannot  maintain 
a  healthy  Christian  spiritual  condition  without  Christian 
work." 

THE    CLOSING    SERMON    OF    THE    MISSION 

was  based  on  the  text,  "  Watch  ye,  stand  fast  in  the  faith, 
quit  you  like  men,  be  strong"  (i  Cor.  16  :  13).  The 
preacher  said  :  "  My  heart  is  in  tender  sympathy  with 
young  Christians,  and  Jesus  is  far  more  deeply  sympathiz- 
ing with  them  than  any  mere  man.  And  to  you  I  say,  as 
I  have  found  it  necessary  to  repeat  to  so  many,  the  great 
thing  for  Christians  to  do  is  to  watch.  We  can  never  be 
too  vigilant  ;  we  must  always  be  standing  guard.  Some 
seem  to  think  when  they  are  converted  that  God  is  just 
going  to  start  them  on  the  Christian  course,  and  they 
have  nothing  to  do  but  to  run,  and  they  will  reach  heaven 
— like   a  watch  that  is  wound   up  and  runs  without  any 


MISSIONS  IN  NASHVILLE  AND  NEW  ORLEANS.     G45 

« 
other    aid.      Man    cannot    become    a  moral    watch,  and    be 

made  to  run  by  being  wound  up,  because  man  is  not  a 
piece  of  mechanism.  God  puts  within  us  His  Divine  prin- 
ciples and  power,  and  we  must  use  them  profitably.  It  is 
only  as  we  exert  constant  watchfulness  over  self  and  our 
enemy  that  we  will  be  able  to  maintain  our  faith." 

At  the  farewell  service  so  many  came  forward  to  thank 
the  Missioner  and  his  helpers  for  the  spiritual  blessings 
God  had  vouchsafed  through  their  labors,  that  not  until 
near  midnight  did  they  leave  the  church.  A  full  account 
of  the  interesting  mission  in  New  Orleans  would  fill  a  vol- 
ume ;  but  the  foregoing  brief  sketch  shows  that  there,  as 
in  other  cities,  their  labors  for  the  Lord  were  not  in  vain. 


646 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 

FAREWELL    SERVICES    IN    EAST    ORANGE,   N.   J. 

The  Rink  Crowded — The  Addresses  of  Bishops  Star  key  and 
Potter — The  Reply  by  Jlfission  r  Aitken — The  Farewell  Ser- 
mon—  Three  Thousand  People  Patiently  Listen — The  Closing 
Extempore   Prayer — The  Solemn  Stillness. 


On  Friday  evening,  January  30th,  1886,  the  Rink  at 
East  Orange,  N.  J.,  was  filled  with  persons  who  were 
anxious  to  be  present  at  Missioner  Aitken's  farewell  ser- 
vice in  America.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Bishop,  Rector  of  Christ 
Church,  East  Orange,  had  superintended  the  harmonious 
arrangements,  and  also  arranged  with  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad  for  a  special  train  for 
the  accommodation  of  persons  who  desired  to  be  present 
at  the  service.  The  large  number  of  people  who  arrived 
in  their  own  carriages,  and  others  who  lived  near  the  Rink, 
filled  the  capacious  building.  While  the  Bishops,  clergy, 
and  Missioners  proceeded  toward  the  platform  the  choir 
and  people  sang  : 

"  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name  !" 

After  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  the  versicles  the  "  Exhatabo 
te  Deus"  was  said  responsively.  The  lesson  was  read  by 
Missioner  Stephens  ;  the  Creed  was  recited  by  the  Rector 
of  St.  Luke's,  Brooklyn  ;  and  the  Collects  were  read  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Applegate,  of  Newburg,  N.  Y.  The  prayer  for 
persons  going  to  sea  was  impressively  said,  and  to  the 
petition    that   the   Missioners   might  safely  arrive  "  at  the 


/■'.  /  RE  1 1  EL  /.  SER I  'ICES  IN  EA  S  T  OR  A  NGE.  (',17 

haven  where  they  would  be"  was  followed  by  a  hearty 
"Amen."     After  the  hymn, 

"  Rock  of  Ages  cleft  for  me, 
Let  me  hide  myself  in  Thee," 

the  Rt.  Rev.  T.  A.  Starkey,  D.D.,  the  Bishop  of  Northern 
New  Jersey,  congratulated  the  audience  on  such  an  im- 
mense gathering;  paid  a  glowing  tribute  "to  Christ 
Church  Parish  and  to  its  Rector,  the  Rev.  H.  T.  Bishop, 
D.D.,  and  to  all  who  had  taken  part  in  providing  for  us 
the  treat  of  listening  to  the  farewell  words  of  the  great 
Missioner,  whom  we  all  honor  for  his  earnestness  and 
boldness  in  preaching  to  us  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  and 
in  trying  to  save  lost  souls."  The  Bishop  then  addressed 
a  few  graceful  and  complimentary  words  to  Missioner 
Aitken,  that  the  same  kind  and  beneficent  Providence  that 
brought  him  here  would  carry  him  back  safely  over  the 
stormy  and  wintry  seas  to  his  family  and  home,  and  that 
he  might  long  be  spared  to  labor  for  Christ  and  the  Church. 

THE    ADDRESS    OF    RT.     REV.     H.     C.    POTTER,     D.D.,     LL.D. 

Bishop  Potter  expressed  his  gratitude  to  the  Bishop  of 
the  diocese  and  to  the  Rector  of  Christ  Church  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  testify  his  appreciation  of  the  work  done  by  this 
great  Missioner  in  New  York  for  Christianity  and  the 
Church.  This  gathering  reminded  him  of  a  gathering  ten 
or  fifteen  years  ago  in  Cooper  Institute,  New  York,  when 
his  fellow-citizens  assembled  to  do  honor  to  a  distinguished 
scientist — Professor  Tyndall.  And  if  it  was  right  to  honor 
the  man  of  science,  how  much  more  the  minister  of  God, 
who  had  given  himself  up  to  his  Master's  service  and  the 
salvation  of  his  fellows.  We  may  not  all  be  of  the  same 
creed,  but  we  can  all  join  in  the  grand  old  hymn  we  have 
sung,  "  Rock  of  Ages  ;  "  and  we  are  all  bound  together 
by   a    strong   and    indissoluble  tie.      The  Bishop  asked  : 


648  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

11  What  is  the  tie  that  binds  us  ?"  and  in  answer  said  :  "  It 
is  our  mother-tongue — the  English  language,  common  to 
us  all — the  tongue  of  Shakespeare,  and  of  Milton,  and, 
most  of  all,  the  language  of  the  Bible,  and  of  the  Prayer- 
Book.' '  The  Bishop  then  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  Mr. 
Aitken,  who  had  come  among  us,  not  to  speak  a  new  lan- 
guage or  to  preach  a  new  doctrine,  but  to  talk  in  our 
mother-tongue,  and  to  preach  the  Bible  and  salvation. 
Shall  we,  then,  thank  the  man  of  letters  and  science,  and 
not  honor  him  who  has  come  and  labored  in  the  name  of 
Christ  ? 

Turning  to  the  clergy,  Bishop  Potter  said  :  "In  your 
name  and  my  own  I  thank  him  for  all  he  has  done  for  the 
Church.  I  shall  not  forget  that  there  are  others  besides 
those  of  our  own  communion  here  ;  yet  we  are  all  brethren 
of  one  common  Saviour,  and  gratitude  to  Him,  faith  in 
Him,  love  to  Him,  will  bind  us  all  yet  more  closely 
together.  In  honoring  the  servant  of  God  we  are  not  pay- 
ing homage  so  much  to  the  man  as  to  the  truth  he  has  pro- 
claimed ;  and  we  are  here  to  listen  to  his  last  words  that 
we  may  learn  more  of  truth  and  duty."  The  Bishop  re- 
ferred to  the  well-known  character  in  "  Middlemarch," 
Garth,  and  quoted  his  expressive  remark  :  "  It  is  a  great 
gift."  So  there  was  a  great  gift  to  all  of  us.  It  might  be 
only  a  small  piece  of  soil,  yet  it  was  of  more  worth  than  a 
fortune.  The  Bishop  thanked  God  that  He  had  given 
these  brethren  great  gifts,  and  that  we  had  shared  for  a 
time  in  their  use  and  value.  While  here  they  had  poured 
upon  us  streams  of  light,  and  had  held  up  continually  the 
figure  of  the  cross  for  our  admiration  and  faith. 

The  Christians  of  other  bodies  who  had  sympathized 
with  Mr,  Aitken's  mission,  and  co-operated  to  make  his 
labors  efficient,  the  Bishop  viewed  as  a  token  of  the  coming 
day  when  the  truths  that  bind  Christians   together  will  be 


FAREWELL  SERVICES  IN  EAST  ORAM  G49 

seen  to  be  much  greater  than  the  polity  which  now  sepa- 
rates us.  The  self-effacement  of  the  Missioners,  and  their 
persistent  and  constant  presentation  of  Christ  on  the  cross, 
should  cause  our  hearts  and  our  prayers  to  go  with  them 
back  to  England,  to  which  we  are  by  a  new  tie  bound  in 
fraternal  love  and  fellowship.  The  Bishop's  excellent 
address  voiced  the  sympathies  of  the  audience,  and  was 
followed  by  subdued  applause. 

Missioner  Aitken's  reply  to  the  addresses  was  character- 
ized by  heartfelt  pathos  and  his  high  appreciation  of  the 
kind  words  the  two  Bishops  had  spoken.  He  referred  in 
eulogistic  terms  to  the  many  kindnesses  he  had  received 
since  his  arrival  in  America,  and  entreated  the  people  to 
pray  for  him,  and,  when  separated  by  the  ocean,  he  would 
pray  for  them.  During  the  reception  of  the  offertory  for 
the  Church  of  England  Parochial  Mission  Society,  the 
anthem, 

"  Now  we  are  ambassadors  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
And  God  beseeches  you  by  us,1'  etc. 

was  sung  as  a  tenor  and  bass  duet,  and  the  large  choir  on 
the  platform  sang  the  chorus  : 

"  How  lovely  are  the  messengers  that  preach  the  gospel  of  peace  ! 
To  all  the  nations  is  gone  forth  the  sound  of  their  words, 
Throughout  the  lands  their  glad  tidings." 

Missioner  Aitken's  text  was  :  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the 
Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  it  is  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth*'  (Rom.  i  :  16). 
In  the  introduction  of  the  sermon  the  preacher  set  forth 
that  the  Hebrews,  Greeks,  and  Romans  all  needed  some 
external  and  mighty  power  to  deliver  them  from  Satan's 
bondage.  He  then  showed  :  First,  that  the  apostle  wras  not 
ashamed  of  the  cross,  which  was  then  analogous  to  the 
gallows,  in  view  of  the  character  of  the  spotless  Saviour, 
who  voluntarily  suffered  and  died  thereon.     Second,   the 


650  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

solemn  scenes  of  Calvary  manifested  the  heinous  nature 
of  sin  in  the  eves  of  the  Holy  Lord  God  of  Sabaoth.  Third, 
through  the  Saviour's  sacrificial  death  and  mighty  resur- 
rection the  sinner  may  see  his  sinful  nature  representatively 
nailed  to  the  cross,  and,  through  Christ's  victory  over  sin 
and  death,  each  who  believes  shall  be  delivered  from  the 
guilt  and  the  dominion  of  sin,  and  be  a  new  creature  in 
Christ  Jesus.  There  are  deteriorating  forces  in  man's 
nature,  and  when  his  eyes  are  open  to  see  the  need  of  sal- 
vation— when  he  feels  his  danger  and  misery — he  can  find 
no  other  source  of  comfort  or  instrument  of  safety  than 
that  furnished  by  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

The  preacher  narrated  striking  illustrations  of  the  adap- 
tation and  efficacy  of  the  Gospel.  The  first  was  that  of  an 
eminent  scholar  who  had  read  the  Scriptures  critically,  but 
had  no  spiritual  perception  till  Christ  revealed  Himself  to 
him.  Another  was  that  of  a  young  lady  who  was  sorrow- 
ful and  despondent,  but  who  gave  herself  wholly  up  to 
Christ,  and  was  immediately  transformed.  A  third  had 
reference  to  a  man  who  led  a  vicious  and  abandoned  life, 
but  became  renewed,  and  then  sought  to  lead  others  to 
Christ.  After  the  relation  of  incidents  in  connection  with 
his  own  ministry,  illustrating  the  Gospel's  mighty  power 
to  save,  the  preacher  exultantly  said  :  "  I  am  not  ashamed 
of  a  Gospel  that  produces  such  results  as  these,  and  I 
don't  want  to  make  a  change  unless  I  can  find  something 
better. 

M  There  is  needed  more  spiritual  power  ;  it  is  the  Gos- 
pel only  which  can  supply  it.  Men  from  the  lack  of  power 
are  brought  down  to  dust.  The  young  people  need  more 
power  to  raise  them  above  the  cares  and  sins  of  the  world. 
This  power  comes  from  Omnipotence.  We  must  obtain 
it  from  above.  To  bring  the  power  near  to  us  we  must 
look  at  the  cross,  go  to  the  cross,  believe  and  receive  the 


/•'.  /  RE  II  '/■:/  L  SER I VI  ES  IN  EA  S  T  ( >A'.  I NGE.  86 1 

Gospel  in  our  hearts.  On  the  cross  I  see  sin  in  all  its 
blackness,  and  love  in  all  its  fulness.  '  God  so  loved  the 
world,  that  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son.'  What  a 
depth  of  infinite  love  !  It  surpasseth  comprehension  !  No 
plummet  can  fathom  its  depths  !" 

The  preacher  asks  :  "  Is  this  Gospel  that  lifts  man  up 
from  sin,  from  degradation,  from  death,  and  places  him 
into  actual  communion  with  God,  and  reveals  to  him  the 
glory  of  heaven  the  power  of  God  to  you  ?  If  it  is  not 
power  to  you,  what  is  it  ?"  As  he  drew  his  discourse  to  a 
close  the  preacher  became  more  animated  and  emphatic, 
and  he  spoke  with  great  enthusiasm  and  energy.  The 
audience  listened  with  rapt  attention,  and  many  eyes  filled 
with  tears.  "  My  last  message  to  my  friends  in  America 
is,  the  Gospel  of  Christ  is  power.  Reverend  brethren, 
believe  it.  In  spite  of  the  scepticism  that  is  in  the  world,  in 
spite  of  science  falsely  so  called,  the  science  of  the  cross  is 
power.  There  is  no  reason  why  every  one  here  should  not 
realize  this  power,  and  have  within  him  the  Omnipotent. 
My  last  word  to  outcast  sinners  is,  there  is  power,  life,  for 
you.  Into  God's  hands  I  commit  you.  We  may  never 
meet  again  on  earth,  but  we  shall  meet,  if  we  are  faithful, 
in  a  purer  world,  where  the  thrones  are  set  and  the  books 
are  open.  Remember  that  in  this  farewell  service  a 
stranger  who  is  not  altogether  a  stranger  gave  as  his  last 
words,  the  Gospel  of  Christ  is  a  power  to  lift  men  up  from 
sin,  to  save  from  sin,  and  fit  for  Christ  and  heaven." 

In  earnest  words  and  in  pathetic  tone  the  preacher  ap- 
pealed to  his  hearers  to  avail  themselves  of  God's  almighty 
power,  which  alone  can  save  from  every  form  of  sinful  in- 
dulgence. He  reasoned,  entreated,  and  added  appeal  to 
appeal  to  any  sin-bound  hearer  to  look  to  what  is  symbol- 
ized by  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ  for  complete  deliverance 
from  the  dominion  of  sin.     With  tearful  eyes  he  came  to 


652  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


the  edge  of  the  platform,  knelt  down,  and  besought  those 
at  enmity  with  God  to  become  reconciled  to  Him  through 
the  crucified,  risen,  and  interceding  Saviour,  who  mani- 
fested on  Calvary  that,  while  God  hates  sin,  He  loves  the 
sinner,  and  provided  plenteous  redemption  for  all  man- 
kind. Many  were  moved,  and  tears  of  penitence  flowed. 
The  instant  the  preacher  had  closed  his  sermon — the  pathos 
of  which  cannot  be  described — he  again  knelt  down,  re- 
quested all  who  were  present  to  kneel  down,  and  offered 
an  extempore  prayer  imploring  God  by  His  own  almighty 
power  to  save  the  penitent  from  the  guilt  of  sin  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan. 

"  Almighty  Father,  bless  the  word 

Which  through  Thy  grace  we  now  have  heard." 

The  Bishop  of  Northern  New  Jersey  pronounced  the 
benediction  of  peace,  and  after  a  solemn  pause  the  Bishops, 
in  their  Episcopal  robes,  and  the  surpliced  clergy  stepped 
from  the  platform,  and  while  passing  through  the  centre 
of  the  crowded  Rink  the  choir  sang  : 

"  Arise  and  shine,  for  thy  Light  is  come, 

And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee." 


THE  EVANGELISTS  HOMEWARD  BOEXD.  653 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

THE    EVANGELISTS    HOMEWARD    BOUND. 

Farewell  Salutations — The  Missioned s  "  God  Bless  You!"  — 
Safe  Arrival  in  England — Reception  in  London — Missioner 
Aitken1  s  Opinio n  of  the  Church  in  America — Missioner  Pigou  s 
Impressions  of  the  Church  in  America. 

On  Saturday,  January  30th,  1886,  a  number  of  the 
friends  of  Missioners  Aitken  and  Stevens,  Mrs.  Crouch, 
and  Miss  Parker  went  on  board  the  City  of  Berlin.  Among 
them  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rainsford,  Wilson,  Parker, 
Bonham,  and  a  representative  of  Mr.Whittaker,  J.  F.  Claus. 
The  snow  was  falling  and  the  atmosphere  chilling,  and 
on  account  of  the  dense  fog  the  steamer  did  not  move  from 
the  pier  until  nearly  two  hours  after  the  time  appointed. 
When  the  last  warning  of  the  bell  announced  that  friends 
must  part  they  shook  hands  and  said  "  Good-by."  As  the 
steamer  slowly  moved  from  the  pier  those  ashore  hastened 
to  the  pier-head,  and  handkerchiefs  were  again  waved  and 
greetings  repeated.  When  the  whistle  of  the  steamer  for 
a  moment  ceased,  Missioner  Aitken  said  :  "  God  bless 
you  ;"  and  the  response,  "  Good-by,"  was  heard  in  the  dis- 
tance. Slowly  beloved  faces  were  borne  away  ;  and  when 
a  prolonged  "  Farewell  "  could  not  be  distinctly  heard  on 
board,  handkerchiefs  were  again  waved  as  fraternal  signals. 
One  fastened  his  white  handkerchief  to  the  top  of  his 
black  umbrella,  and  waved  it  amid  the  falling  flakes  of 
snow  until  the  Missioners  on  board  the  City  of  Berlin  could 


654  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

no  longer  be  seen  by  their  friends  ashore.  May  we  all 
meet  on  the  celestial  shore,  where  friends  meet,  but  never 
part. 

Soon  all  who  are  in  Christ's  Ark  of  Safety  will  pass  their 
last  billow  of  trial,  and  in  unison  sing  : 

"  Into  the  haven  of  glory  now  we  glide, 
We're  home  at  last,  home  at  last. 
Glory  to  God,  all  our  sufferings  are  o'er, 
We  stand  secure  on  the  glorified  shore  ; 
Glory  to  God,  we  will  shout  evermore, 
We're  home  at  last,  home  at  last." 

MISSIONER  AITKEn's    RECEPTION    IN    LONDON. 

Soon  after  the  English  Missioners  arrived  in  England 
Missioner  Aitken  was  tendered  a  reception  in  London. 
Eminent  speakers  welcomed  his  return,  and  many  live 
Churchmen  rejoiced  to  once  more  see  his  smiling  face  and 
to  hear  his  earnest  words.  In  reply  to  the  address  of  wel- 
come, Missioner  Aitken  said  : 

11  From  first  to  last  our  reception  in  America  was  most 
cordial,  and  the  willingness  to  hear  what  we  had  to»  com- 
municate made  our  work  a  great  deal  easierthan  we  ex- 
pected. The  prejudices  of  Americans  are  more  easily  over- 
come than  those  of  English  people,  when  their  convictions 
are  aroused  ;  and  directly  they  see  that  missions  are  really 
likely  to  be  useful,  missions  will  become  a  very  popular 
institution.  With  respect  to  the  spiritual  condition  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  of  America,  there  has  been  a  great  deal 
of  earnestness  and  zeal  in  connection  with  that  body, 
which,  of  late  years,  has  been  growing  very  rapidly  ;  but 
it  has  also  been  becoming  more  and  more  the  Church  of 
the  upper-class  people,  and  it  lacks  definite  spirituality. 
There  was  a  great  indefmiteness  of  teaching  and  of  appre- 
hension of  the  truth.     If  ever  a  Church  required   the  mis- 


the  E  J '.  i  x (,■/■:/. is rs  home  ir.t rd  bo und.         666 


sion  message  it  was  the  Episcopal  Church  of  America.  I 
believe  that  the  mission  there  will  mark  an  epoch  in  the 
history  of  that  Church,  and  that  from  this  time  forward 
the  evangelizing  work  will  go  on  ;  and  I  further  venture 
to  hope  that  the  narrow  spirit  which  has  led  them  to  hold 
themselves  aloof  has  received  a  staggering  blow.  I  believe 
that  this  mission  has  done  one  thing  among  many  others 
that  we  shall  all  be  thankful  for  :  it  has  tended  to  break 
down  the  barriers  between  our  Church  and  others.  ...  I 
will  ask  you,  dear  friends,  when  you  think  of  America,  to 
join  with  me  in  pleading  that  those  dear  souls  may  be  kept 
from  the  great  sin  of  lukewarm  Christianity." 

DR.    PIGOU'S    "IMPRESSIONS    OF    THE    CHURCH    IN    NEW    YORK."* 

In  a  comprehensive  review  of  his  Mission  the  Doctor  says  : 
"  The  keynote  of  the  New  York  Mission  was  struck  in  the 
admirable  address  given  to  clergy  and  workers  by  Bishop 
Potter  at  the  preliminary  service  in  the  Church  of  the 
Heavenly  Rest.  ...  I  do  not  remember  having  ever  heard 
words  of  greater  sobriety  and  chastened  thought  than  those 
to  which  Bishop  Potter  gave  utterance.  ...  In  eulogistic 
terms,  Dr.  Pigou  refers  to  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the 
Rev.  D.  Parker  Morgan  to  make  the  services,  under  God, 
succcessful. 

"  Our  prayer-meeting  on  Saturday  evening  in  the  church 
was  the  largest  I  have  ever  seen  on  the  eve  of  a  Mission. 
.  .  .  We  had  throughout  the  Mission  crowded  and  inter- 
ested congregations.   The  attention  was  fixed  and  rapt.  .   .   . 

"  Looking  back  on  it  all,  we  can  say,  '  The  Lord  hath 
done  great  things,  whereof  we  are  glad.'  Many,  if  not 
all  of  us,  felt  that  the  work  was  really  only  beginning 
where  we  left  off." 

*  Reprinted  from  the  English  Churchman  in  the  New  York  Churchman. 


656  •  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XL. 

ezekiel's  vision  of  the  resurrection. 

The  Valley  full  of  Hones — Sin-dead  Souls  Quickened — T'he 
South  London  Mission  —  The  Bishop  of  Lichfield  s  Lay  Evan- 
gelists— Financial  Proof  of  Religious  Vitality — The  Late 
Bishop  of  Manchester — Missioner  Aitken  at  Cambridge — The 
Parochial  Mission  Spreading — American  Missioners  Lncr eas- 
ing—  The  Mission  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  Syracuse — Mis- 
sions in  Other  Cities. 

The  Prophet  Ezekiel  beholds  a  valley  full  of  bones. 
Suddenly  bone  comes  to  bone,  and  each  to  its  own  socket. 
Flesh  and  skin  cover  them,  but  there  is  no  life  in  them. 
The  command  is  obeyed  :  "  Breathe  from  the  four  winds, 
O  breath,  that  these  slain  might  live,"  and  they  stand  upon 
their  feet  an  exceeding  great  army.  This  is  a  vision  of 
the  resurrection  of  the  body,  for  Jehovah  says  :  "  Behold, 
O  my  people,  I  will  open  your  graves,  and  cause  you  to 
come  up  out  of  your  graves"  (Ezek.  37).  According  to 
the  law  of  symbolic  interpretation,  the  quickening  of  sin- 
dead  souls  is  analogous  to  the  resurrection  of  the  dead 
body.  St.  Paul  says  :  "  You  hath  He  quickened  who  were 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins."  ..."  If  ye  then  be  risen 
with  Christ,  seek  those  things  which  are  above."  Is  not 
this  analogous  to  the  past  and  the  present  condition  of  the 
Church  of  England  and  her  branches  in  America?  A  few 
years  ago  Bishops,  Rectors,  and  Missioners  prayed  : 


EZEKIEL'S  VISION  OF  THE  RESURRECTION.         657 

"  Revive  Thy  work,  O  Lord, 

Thy  mighty  arm  make  bare  ; 
Speak  with  the  voice  that  wakes  the  dead, 
And  make  Thy  people  hear." 

In  answer  to  prayer  many  who  were  spiritually  dead, 
by  the  Gospel's  resurrection  power  were  quickened  into 
life.  The  mission  armies  of  Immanuel  unitedly  cried  to 
others  :  "O  ye  dead  bones,  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
live  !"  They  are  becoming  an  exceeding  great  army,  and 
are  marching  forward,  gaining  victory  after  victory.  The 
last  week  in  February,  1886,  another  mission  on  a  large 
scale  was  held  in  South  London.  About  one  hundred  of 
the  Church  of  England  Workingmen's  Army  Association 
paraded  the  streets,  carrying  lamps  and  banners,  and  in- 
vited the  people  to  "  come  to  the  mission."  As  the  Bishop 
needs  at  once  two  hundred  and  eighty  more  clergymen  to 
meet  the  spiritual  necessities  of  his  diocese,  he  welcomes 
lay  helpers.  In  the  Diocese  of  Lichfield  lay  evangelists, 
headed  by  their  devoted  chief,  are  winning  many  souls  to 
Christ.  In  highways,  as  well  as  in  mission  rooms,  they 
proclaim  the  freeness  and  fulness  of  the  Gospel.  Artisans 
and  workingmen,  without  forsaking  their  worldly  calling, 
labor  as  district  evangelists.  The  Bishop  says  :  "  We  are 
now  making  special  arrangements  for  the  careful  training 
of  these  men  in  scriptural  knowledge  and  in  the  doctrines 
of  the  Church.  They  will  be  a  great  strength  to  us,  work- 
ing from  their  own  homes  among  their  own  kinsfolk  and 
acquaintance  and  neighbors." 

LARGE    CONFIRMATION    CLASSES. 

During  the  year  1884  eighteen  thousand  candidates  were 
confirmed  by  the  late  Bishop  of  Manchester.  In  the  parish 
of  the  Venerable  Bede,  the  historian,  the  Bishop  of  Durham 
recently   administered   this   solemn  rite  to   more  than  one 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


hundred  and  thirty  adults  who  were  saved  through  the 
labors  of  the  Church  Army.  Some  of  the  candidates  had 
formerly  been  drunkards  and  gamblers  of  long  standing. 
One  of  them  was  rescued  when  on  his  way  to  a  public 
house  to  obtain  more  drink  to  nerve  him  to  kill  his  wife 
and  two  children,  and  then  to  commit  suicide. 

During  the  year  1885,  at  1952  church  centres,  202,983 
persons  were  confirmed  by  their  respective  diocesans.  And 
as  the  result  of  other  parochial  missions  many  will  soon  be 
added  to  the  number. 

A  special  mission  of  ten  days  has  been  held  in  St.  Mary's, 
Hull.  For  some  time  previous  to  the  mission  a  very  ear- 
nest and  vigorous  work  of  preparation  was  carried  on  by  a 
large  body  of  laymen,  consisting  of  members  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew  and  the  Hull  branch  of  the 
C.  E.  W.  M.  S.  Cottage  meetings  were  held  almost  in 
every  court  and  alley  in  the  parish,  and  many  of  them 
largely  attended,  there  being  as  many  as  twenty  of  these 
meetings  held  in  a  week.  The  Missions  preached  by  Mis- 
sioner  Aitken,  since  his  return  to  England,  include  the 
mission  in  Cambridge  ;  designed  to  benefit  the  professors 
and  the  students  of  its  famous  University. 

"  The  number  of  persons  who  attended  Divine  worship 
in  one  district  in  London  was  only  three  thousand  out  of 
sixty  thousand  ;  and  in  others  the  attendants  were  not 
above  one  per  cent  of  the  population.  The  Right  Rever- 
end Prelate,  in  the  course  of  his  remarks,  very  properly 
insisted  upon  the  great  need  of  '  simple,  straightforward, 
manly  preaching,  and  more  plain,  expository  sermons.' 
Dr.  How  further  stated  that  one  noble  lady  had  offered 
him  ^"2000  a  year  for  the  rest  of  her  life  in  aid  of  mission 
preachers  and  mission  rooms." 

In  England  there  is  no  lack  of  means  for  the  support  of 
the  increasing  number  of  Missioners  still  needed.     Liberal 


E/.E  KIEL'S  VISION  OF  THE  RESURRECTION.         86fl 

Churchmen  now  freely  give  of  their  substance,  and  sincerely 

sing  : 

"  Were  the  whole  realm  of  nature  mine, 
That  were  a  present  far  to  small. 
Love  so  amazing,  so  divine, 

Demands  my  soul,  my  life,  my  all  '" 

That  the  Church  of  England  is  financially  awake,  is  evi- 
dent ;  for,  according  to  the  Year  Book  of  the  Church  of 
England  for  1885,  in  the  twenty-five  years,  1860-84,  the 
voluntary  contributions  for  theological  schools  and  educa- 
tion of  candidates  for  holy  orders  amounted  to  ,£528,653  ; 
for  church  building,  restoration,  etc.,  ^35,175,000;  for 
home  missions,  ^£7,426,478  ;  for  foreign  missions,  ^10,- 
100,000  ;  for  elementary  education,  ^"21,362,041  ;  educa- 
tional literature,  ^987,841  ;  church  institutes,  ^71,661  ; 
charitable  works,  ^3,818,200  ;  and  for  clergy  charities, 
general  and  diocesan,  ^2,103,364— making  a  total  for 
the  twenty-five  years  of  ^81,573,237.  In  the  year  1884, 
78  new  churches  were  built  and  296  restored. 

The  Rev.  H.  Haslam,  a  Missioner  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, has  conducted  several  missions  in  Canada,  which 
have  awakened  great  interest.  Mrs.  Haslam's  services  for 
women  only  have  been  daily  crowded  and  greatly  blessed. 

THE    WONDERFUL    REVIVAL    SPREADING    IN    AMERICA. 

Since  the  date  of  the  New  York  Advent  Mission  "  Re- 
treats" and  "  Missions"  have  been  conducted  in  various 
cities,  and  awakened  unusual  interest.  At  the  retreat  in 
Christ  Church,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  the  "  Quiet  day"  for 
the  laity,  conducted  by  Father  Grafton,  was  largely  at- 
tended, and  the  results  are  cheering.  The  second  mission 
in  Calvary  Church,  St.  Louis,  opened  by  the  Bishop  on 
March  15th,  was  attended  by  large  congregations.  The 
"Quiet  day"  in  Christ  Church   Cathedral,  Reading,  Pa., 


660  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford.  In  Grace 
Church,  Toledo,  Ohio,  the  Mission  was  continued  from 
March  10th  to  the  26th,  inclusive.  The  Rector,  Rev.  W.  C. 
Hopkins,  preached  a  conversion  sermon  each  evening,  and 
afterward  conducted  a  "  prayer-meeting  for  those  of  every 
or  no  denomination."  After  the  mission  in  Christ  Church, 
New  Lisbon,  Conn.,  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Witherspoon,  Rector, 
and  the  Rev.  F.  de  Garno  conducted  a  "  Two  days'  Re- 
treat." 

In  Nashville,  Tenn.,  another  successful  mission  has  been 
conducted.  It  began  with  a  "  retreat,"  and  was  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  D.  Convers  and  C.  B.  Perry.  The  ser- 
vices were  well  attended  and  characterized  by  "a  restful 
stillness."  Special  petitions  were  offered  by  different  per- 
sons that  "  eight  sons  might  be  led  to  enter  the  ministry 
of  the  Church."  Through  God's  blessing  on  the  mission, 
the  zeal  of  communicants  was  quickened  ;  "  prayer-made 
resolutions  for  amendment  of  life  and  self-consecration" 
were  offered,  and  as  a  result  of  Father  Convers's  appeal  to 
men  to  live  a  life  of  purity,  a  branch  of  the  Guild  of  the 
Iron  Cross  was  organized. 

The  mission  in  St.  James'  Church,  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  the 
Rev.  William  De  Lancey  Wilson,  Rector,  the  Rev.  A.  S. 
Crapsey,  Missioner,  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  whole 
community.  In  St.  Paul's  Church,  Erie,  the  Rev.  G.  A. 
Carstensen,  Rector,  a  successful  mission  was  conducted  by 
the  Rev.  E.  A.  Bradley,  of  Indianapolis,  who  is  a  gifted 
musician  and  an  effective  Gospel  orator.  In  St.  Luke's 
Church,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Anstice,  Rector, 
the  fifteen  days'  mission  wras  conducted  by  Missioner  Du 
Vernet,  of  Canada,  and  was  largely  attended.  The  services 
were  churchly,  and  at  the  sermon  for  men  only  six  hundred 
were  present.  At  one  of  the  celebrations  of  the  Holy 
Communion  three  hundred  and  forty  persons  received  the 


EZEKIEVS  VISION  OF  THE  RESURRECTIOX.         661 


sacramental  "  assurance  of  God's  grace  and  favor."  At 
the  closing  service  of  the  mission  thirteen  hundred  persons 
were  present.  The  mission  proved  a  blessing  to  a  number 
of  the  city  clergy  and  to  many  of  their  parishioners. 

THE    MISSION    IN"    THE     CHAPEL     OF    THE    CHURCH    OF     THE    HOLY 

TRINITY, 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  McKim  Missioner,  was 
one  of  great  interest.  To  a  crowded  congregation  of 
women  the  Missioner  preached  on  "  She  hath  done  what 
she  could  "  (Mark  14  :  8)  and  "  Ye  have  done  it  unto  Me" 
(Matt.  25  :  45).  A  sermon  to  men  only  was  based  on 
1  Tim.  5  :  22.  Jhe  texts  of  the  evening  sermons  were  : 
Matt.  20  :  16  ;  Matt.  9:2;  Phil.  2  :  12,  13  ;  Mark  10  :  52  ; 

1  Cor.  11  :  23  ;  Rom.  8:2;  Psalm  139  :  23,  24  ;  Rev.  3  :  7, 
8,  10  ;  1  John  3:4;  Luke  16:2;  Eph.  5  :  14  ;  Job  33  :  24  ; 
Luke  23  :  33  ;  Luke  7  :  50  ;  Matt.  11  :  28  ;  Joshua  24  :  15  ; 

2  Cor.  9  :  15.  Respecting  the  mission  an  eminent  and  a 
devoted  Churchwoman  says  :*  "  The  Missioner  had  private 
conference  with  about  one  hundred  persons  in  the  after- 
meetings  ;  scores  of  backsliders  were  restored  and  nominal 
Christians  quickened  ;  and  many  turned  for  the  first  time 
from  the  world  and  from  sin  to  God.  Individual  instances 
of  benefit  received,  mentioned  at  the  thanksgiving  service 
at  the  close  of  the  mission,  were  most  interesting  and  re- 
markable. Certain  it  is,  that  all  those  who  consecutively 
attended  these  services  felt  that  it  was  good  to  be  there, 
and  that  many  who  had  not  previously  believed  in  them 
became  converts  to  missions,  at  least  to  those  conducted 
like  the  one  at  the  Memorial  Chapel,  and  marked,  as  that 
was,  by  quietness,  reverence,  and  devotion. 

"  Elizabeth  N.   Biddle.  " 

*  New  York  Churchman,  March  27th,  i836. 


662  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

On  Saturday,  March  27th,  an  eight  days'  mission  was 
commenced  in  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  by 
Bishop  Huntington.  A  very  large  audience  greeted  the 
Missioners,  the  Rev.  Fathers  Field  and  Torbett,  of  Boston, 
Mass.  A  choir  of  one  hundred  voices  led  the  congrega- 
tional praise.  Bishop  Huntington  named  the  mission 
"  the  alarm  bell  calling  the  sleepers  to  awaken."  Daily 
during  the  mission  at  7.30  a.m.  the  Holy  Communion  was 
celebrated  ;  9  a.m.  morning  prayer  ;  9.30  a.m.  address 
and  intercession  ;  12  m.  fifteen-minute  address  ;  at  7  p.m. 
mission  service,  with  sermon  ;  addresses  to  men  only  on 
both  Sundays  at  4  p.m  ;  to  women  only  on  Thursday. 
The  mission  cannot  fail  to  receive  His  blessing  who 
authorized  the  production  from  His  storehouse  of  "  things 
old  and  new."  Bishop  Huntington's  great  interest  in 
parochial  missions  is  described  in  "  The  Church  Revived," 
Part  II.,  Chapter  VI.  Missions  have  been  held  in  various 
cities  in  other  States,  and  the  results  have  cheered  Bishops, 
Rectors,  and  Missioners. 

THE    MISSION    IN    GRACE    CHURCH,   PROVIDENCE,    R.   I. 

The  Mid-Lent  Mission  in  Grace  Church  was  one  of  great 
interest.  The  Rector  and  Missioner,  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Greer  and  Bodine,  heartily  co-operated  and  unitedly 
labored.  Dr.  Bodine  began  the  mission  "  in  weakness  and 
fear  and  much  trembling,"  but  was  refreshed  in  body  and 
soul  by  the  successive  services.  The  congregations  were 
large  and  attentive,  and  many  were  benefited.  The  mis- 
sion sermon  preached  each  evening,  on  a  few  occasions  was 
followed  by  an  address  by  the  Rector  of  great  earnest- 
ness and  spiritual  fervor  and  unsurpassed  eloquence.  At 
the  closing  service,  notwithstanding  a  snow-storm,  there 
was  not  a  vacant  seat  in  the  church.  Everything  of  a 
"  sensational  nature"  was  avoided.     There  was  no  appeal 


EZEKIEV&  VISION  OF  THE  RESURRECTION.         6G3 


to  the  mere  emotions,  and  no  attempts  to  raise  the  feelings 
beyond  the  point  where  they  can  steadily  be  maintained. 
Through  the  mission  the  Rector,  the  Missioner,  and  people 
were  cheered  and  benefited.  The  Missioner,  in  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  services,  says  :  "  Let  us  not  be  afraid  of,  but 
let  us  welcome,  the  mission  movement."  * 

The  recent  parochial  mission  conducted  by  the  Rev. 
Fathers  Prescott  and  Gardner,  in  Grace  Church,  Indian- 
apolis, has  edified  many,  confirming  their  faith  and  deep- 
ening their  devotion  to  the  service  of  Christ. 

The  work  of  the  mission  in  Calvary  Chapel,  New  York, 
did  not  cease  when  the  Rev.  Dean  Hart  returned  to 
Colorado.  On  Sundays  and  Fridays  during  Lent  inter- 
cessory prayers  were  offered  for  seven  specified  classes  of 
the  community.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Tompkins  and  his  people 
are  greatly  cheered  by  the  continued  influence  of  the  Ad- 
vent Mission.  On  Sunday,  April  4th,  the  author  was 
again  present  at 

st.  George's  mission  in  avenue  a. 

He  was  much  cheered  by  the  large  attendance  and  the 
addresses  and  testimonies.  After  the  close  of  the  Sunday- 
school  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  and  a  few  singers  stood  in  front 
of  Jefferson  Hall,  and  sang  several  Gospel  hymns.  The 
snow  was  falling  and  the  atmosphere  chilly,  yet  a  number 
of  people  who  were  passing  tarried  to  listen.  At  the  ser- 
vice in  the  hall  the  touching  words  of  Dr.  Wilson  and  other 
speakers  made  a  deep  impression.  One  man  said  :  "  Two 
years  ago  I  kept  a  gin-mill  at  Tenth  Street  and  Avenue  B  ; 
but  God,  through  Christ,  saved  me  and  upholds  me." 
Another  man  said  :  "  I  had  a  passion  for  gambling,  and 
kept  my  wife  in  constant  anxiety  ;  but  now  all  is  changed, 

*  Standard  of  the  Cross,  April  15th,  p.  340. 


664  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  evil  desire  has  departed,  and  Christ  hath  made  me 
free."  Several  others  testified  that  God  saves  from  the 
power  of  sin,  and  keeps  from  falling  all  who  put  their  trust 
in  Him.  The  interest  was  so  great  that  the  services  were  not 
closed  till  nearly  six  o'clock.     Lustily  the  people  sang  : 

"  Crown  Him,  crown  Him,  angels,  crown  Him, 
Crown  the  Saviour  King  of  kings  !" 

On  Sunday,  March  22d,  the  congregation  at  St.  George's 
Church  offered  "  special  thanksgiving  for  the  Divine  bless- 
ing resting  on  the  mission  in  Avenue  A."  The  Rev.  Dr. 
Wilson  is  efficiently  aided   by  a  band  of  lay  workers. 

At  the  Diocesan  Convention  of  Long  Island,  held  in 
1884,  the  Bishop  recommended  that  a  Lay  Helpers'  Asso- 
ciation be  organized  in  the  various  parishes,  after  the 
manner  of  the  London  Lay  Helpers'  Association.  In  the 
Diocese  of  Long  Island  are  twenty-five  lay  helpers,  nine  of 
whom  were  solemnly  set  apart  by  the  Bishop  on  Sunday, 
February  14th,  in  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  Brooklyn. 
Among  the  good  results  of  the  New  York  Advent  Mission 
is  the  open  door  of  usefulness  for  talented  laymen,  and  the 
students  of  the  General  Theological  Seminary.  Practical 
Gospel  work  under  the  wise  direction  of  Rectors  would 
prepare  students  for  greater  efficiency  as  future  Rectors, 
and  enable  them  to  avoid  the  sorrows  resulting  from  un- 
duly magnifying  "  the  prerogatives  of  a  Rector." 

THE  ENGLISH  CHURCH  ARMY  OF  LAYMEN. 

Their  usefulness  having  been  fully  tested,  "His  Grace 
the  Archbishop  of  York/'  "the  Lord  Bishop  of  London," 
and  the  Bishop  of  Bedford  have  recently  consented 
to  be  included  among  its  patrons.  Some  time  ago  the 
Bishop  of  Bedford  administered  the  Holy  Communion  to 
officers  of  the  Salvation  Army,  of  which  General  Booth 
is  the  courageous  leader. 


THE  BISHOPS  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  NEW  YORK'.      666 


CHAPTER   XLI. 

THE    BISHOPS    OF    THE    DIOCESE    OF    NEW    YORK. 

Bishop  Horatio  Potter's  Permission  to  Use  an  Abbreviated 
Liturgical  Service — Bishop  Henry  C,  Potters  Address  to 
the  Clergy — His  Sermons  to  Women — "  What  is  Personal 
Wholeness  ?" — A  Striking  Incident — Suddenly  Saved — Sud- 
denly in  Paradise. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  the  Rev.  Mr.  Howell  and  the 
author  visited  the  Rt.  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  to  obtain 
his  permission  to  use  an  abbreviated  Liturgical  service  at 
a  mission  in  Grace  Church,  City  Island,  N.  Y.  The 
Bishop  readily  granted  the  request,  saying  :  "  But  use  only 
select  prayers  from  the  Prayer-Book."  So  soon  as  it  was 
known  that  "  revival  services"  were  to  be  commenced  in 
Grace  Church,  the  Methodists  had  notice  given  to  the  chil- 
dren in  the  day-school  that  "revival  services"  would  be 
commenced  in  the  Methodist  Church  the  same  evening. 
The  services  in  Grace  Church  were  well  attended,  the 
people  interested,  and  the  Rector  and  Missioner  encour- 
aged. So  far  as  the  author  knows,  this  was  the  first  paro- 
chial mission  held  in  the  diocese  of  New  York. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter's  interest  in  parochial 
missions  was  manifested  by  his  presence  at  the  "  retreat" 
at  Garrison's,  his  timely  address  at  the  "  preparatory  de- 
votional service"  at  the  Church  of  the  Heavenly  Rest,  his 
presence  at  the  noonday  service  in    Trinity  Church,  and 


666  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

his    farewell   address   to   Missioner   Aitken   in  the   Rink  at 
East  Orange.* 

Soon  after  his  consecration  Bishop  H.  C.  Potter,  D.D., 
convened  his  clergy  in  Grace  Church  Chapel,  Broadway, 
and  after  devotional  exercises  solemnly  set  before  them 
the  importance  of  personal  devotion,  which  is  so  likely  to 
be  interfered  with  by  numerous  parochial  duties.  He 
affectionately  urged  the  clergy  to  set  apart  special  times 
for  self-examination,  and  earnest  prayer  for  growth  in 
grace,  and  for  the  critical  study  of  the  sacred  Scriptures, 
in  addition  to  the  time  spent  in  the  selection  of  texts  and 
the  preparation  of  their  sermons.  The  Bishop,  who  had 
been  the  Rector  of  Grace  Church  for  many  years,  fully 
aware  of  the  multiform  nature  of  ministerial  hindrances, 
knew  how  to  judiciously  advise  his  clergy  not  to  be  so 
much  absorbed  in  routine  duties  that  they  forget  or  over- 
look their  duty  to  promote  their  own  growth  in  holiness. 
A  portion  of  time  spent  each  week  as  the  Bishop  suggested 
would  not  be  time  misspent,  for  it  would  greatly  increase 
clerical  usefulness  and  efficiency. 

SPECIAL    SERVICES    FOR    CHRISTIAN    WOMEN. 

In  1883-84  and  in  1884-85  the  Bishop  delivered  a  series 
of  sermons  to  women,  "  designed  to  be  helpful  to  those  who 
are  engaged  in  the  various  ministries  to  the  poor,  the 
neglected,  the  unevangelized,  the  fallen,  and  the  ignorant," 
to  which  women  in  our  day  are  so  largely  devoting  them- 
selves. At  each  service  the  Bishop  delivered  an  instructive 
address,  after  which  the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated. 
Christian  women  gladly  received  the  wise  suggestions  of 
their   Bishop,  and  heartily  rejoiced   that  he  was  so  deeply 


*  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  V.,  Chapters  III.  and  XXXVII. 


THE  B I  SHOTS  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  XEW  YORK.      CC7 

interested    in    the    various    forms   of   benevolent    work    in 
which  so  many  Churchwomen  are  so  devotedly  engaged. 

On  Monday,  February  ist,  1886,  at  11  a.m.,  the  Bishop 
held  a  service  for  women  in  St.  Ann's  Church,  and  de- 
livered an  address  on  "  The  Realm  of  Order."  Monday, 
February  15th,  the  service  was  held  in  Church  du  Saint 
Esprit,  and  the  subject  of  the  address,  "  Ends  and  Instru- 
ments." Monday,  March  15th,  in  the  Church  of  the 
Ascension,  the  subject  of  the  address  was  "  Illusions  and 
Ideas."  On  Monday,  March  15th,  the  service  was  held  in 
St.  George's  Church,  Stuyvesant  Square.  The  clergy 
present  with  the  Bishop  were  the  Rev.  W.  S.  Rainsford, 
M.A.,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  the  Rev.  Lindsay  Parker,  and 
Missioner  Bonham.  The  Liturgical  worship  was  led  by 
the  Bishop  and  the  Rector.  The  responses  were  fervent, 
the  singing  was  congregational,  and  the  lady  who  presided 
at  the  organ  played  a  subdued  accompaniment. 

THE    BISHOP'S    ADDRESS    ON    "WHOLENESS." 

"  In  concluding  this  series  of  services,"  the  Bishop  said, 
"  I  shall  depart  from  my  usage  hitherto — that  has  been 
to  speak  mainly  of  your  work.  I  wish  this  morning  to 
speak  mainly  of  yourselves.  And  the  reason  for  this  is 
easily  to  be  seen,  for  in  a  real  and  inevitable  sense  all 
human  work  must  be  partial  and  fragmentary.  To  go  no 
farther  than  this  great  city,  what  can  any  one  of  us  do  but 
touch  at  a  single  point  ?  And  that  is  the  difference 
between  you  and  your  work  ;  for  you  are  not  a  fragment  ; 
God  meant  you  to  be  a  whole.  It  is  just  here,  as  so  often, 
that  art  becomes  suggestive.  In  Caryatides  the  head  and 
shoulders  are  sufficient  to  sustain  a  heavy  weight.  But 
you  have  something  more  to  do  than  to  bear  burdens  ;  and 
it  is  forgetfulness  of  this  that  spoils  character.  We  say  of 
one  who  is  inefficient  :  '  He  is  only  half  a  man  !  ' 


6G8  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


WHAT    IS    PERSONAL    WHOLENESS  ? 

"  In  answering  this  question  I  shall  not  disdain  to  begin 
low  down.  When  I  touch  your  hand  or  hear  your  voice 
I  come  into  contact  with  something  which  is  the  only 
means  you  have  of  translating  yourself  to  other  people." 
Respecting  physical  powers,  the  Bishop  said  :  "  With 
women  there  seem  to  be  two  extremes — idolatry  or  neglect. 
Surely  there  is  a  golden  mean.  Those  who  are  endowed 
with  physical  beauty  are  in  danger  of  neglecting  important 
duties.  How  much  time  many  spend  attending  to  their 
finger  ends  !  But  women  have  a  finer  instrument  than  the 
body.  It  is  the  power  that  says  :  '  Intelligo, '  '  I  know/ 
'  I  perceive.'  Included  in  the  mental  powers  are  (a)  per- 
ception, (b)  comparison,  (c)  reflection.  And  wholeness 
means  supremacy  in  the  exercise  and  development  of  the 
spiritual  faculty." 

HOW    MAY    WHOLENESS    BE    DEVELOPED  ? 

The  Bishop  referred  to  the  ten  lepers  whom  Christ  had 
healed  of  their  malady,  and  pointed  out  what  was  deficient 
in  the  nine  who  obtained  what  they  wanted,  but  needed 
something  more.  The  one  who  expressed  gratitude  saw 
in  Christ  the  image  of  the  Divine.  Through  faith  he  was 
made  whole.  That  is  supremely  the  office  of  faith.  We 
smile  at  faith  cures,  because  this  is  an  age  of  z//zfaith,  and 
that  is  the  Protestantism  of  an  age  of  unbelief  ! 

In  closing  his  admirable  and  instructive  address  the 
Bishop  said  :  "  Give  to  the  Master's  service  a  whole 
womanhood.     May  Lent  help  you  to  do  it." 

The  Bishop's  series  of  sermons  to  women  were  listened 
to  by  large  congregations.  At  St.  George's  the  floor  of 
the  capacious  church  was  nearly  filled.  The  excellencies 
of  the  sermons  were  highly  appreciated,  and  have  proved 


THE  BISHOPS  OE  THE  DIOCESE  OE  NEW  YORK.      669 


profitable  to  many.  After  the  address  on  Monday,  March 
15th,  the  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated.  While  the 
communicants  were  receiving  the  consecrated  bread  and 
wine  the  lady  at  the  organ  softly  played  successive  tunes, 
which  recalled  the  soothing  words  of  familiar  hymns.  And 
when  the  "  Gloria  in  Excelsis"  was  sung,  "  We  praise 
Thee,  we  bless  Thee,  we  worship  Thee,  we  glorify  Thee, 
we  give  thanks  unto  Thee,  for  Thy  great  glory,  O  Lord 
God,  heavenly  King,"  in  grand  and  melodious  soprano, 
ascended  to  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  High. 

Should  any  of  the  Christian  women  helpers  read  "  The 
Church  Revived,"  the  following  incident,  related  to  the 
author  by  the  Bishop  of  Bedford,  England,  may  move 
them 

NOT    TO    PROCRASTINATE    PRESENT    DUTY. 

Mentally  visit  St.  Pancras'  Church,  Euston  Road,  Lon- 
don. The  Archbishop  of  York  is  preaching  an  earnest 
Gospel  sermon.  In  closing,  he  urges  all  present  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  privileges  of  the  mission,  which  to  some 
may  be  the  last  call  of  mercy.  A  Christian  worker  notices 
a  young  woman  whose  countenance  indicates  that  she  is 
deeply  impressed,  but  that  her  soul  is  not  at  rest.  After 
the  service  the  lady  speaks  to  her,  saying  :  M  Do  you  know 
the  Lord  Jesus  as  your  personal  Saviour,  and  are  your  sins 
forgiven?"  The  young  woman  answers:  "I  have  no 
assurance  that  my  sins  have  been  pardoned."  After  in- 
structive conversation  the  lady  invites  her  to  call  at  her 
residence.  At  the  time  appointed  she  does  so,  and  is  cor- 
dially received.  The  lady  reassures  her  that  Christ  is  the 
only  and  all-sufficient  Saviour,  and  that  whoever  confides 
in  Him  He  will  save  to  the  uttermost— fully,  completely, 
and  eternally.  The  visitor  now  believes  this  truth,  and  is 
moved  to  trust  henceforth  in  His  saving  power.  Sud- 
denly her  sin-burden  departs,  her  soul  is  now  serene,  and 


670  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

her  face  is  radiant.  The  lady  gives  her  the  Bible  contain- 
ing the  record  that  "  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life, 
and  this  life  is  in  His  Son  ;"  and  with  the  testimony  of 
Him  who  is  faithful  and  true  in  her  hand,  and  the  assur- 
ance that  He  has  forgiven  her  sins  written  on  her  heart, 
she  leaves  the  house. 

SUDDENLY    SAVED  !       SUDDENLY    IN    PARADISE  ! 

Suddenly  the  young  woman  believed  in  Christ,  and  called 
Him,  "  My  Saviour  !"  But  alas  !  suddenly  a  carriage  runs 
over  her.  Her  body  is  painfully  bruised  ;  but  her  spirit 
is  serene.  Strangers  carry  her  to  the  nearest  hospital,  and 
her  case  receives  immediate  surgical  attention.  But 
though  she  cannot  live  long — and  of  this  she  is  conscious- 
she  is  calm  even  in  the  presence  of  "  the  king  of  terrors," 
for  He  in  whom  she  trusts  is  death's  mighty  Conqueror. 
The  Bible  containing  the  record  that  "  God  is  love,"  and 
that  whoever  shall  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
saved,  she  gives  to  her  nurse.  Soon  she  departs  in  peace. 
How  serene  her  countenance  !  The  day  following  her 
departure  from  this  life 

THE    LADY    WHO    HAD    GIVEN    HER    THE    BIBLE 

makes  her  usual  visit  to  a  ward  of  the  hospital.  Instantly 
a  nurse  approaches  her,  saying  :  "  There  is  a  Bible  of 
yours  here."  As  the  lady  expresses  surprise,  the  nurse 
hands  it  to  her,  saying  :  "  It  was  left  by  a  young  woman 
who  was  brought  here  last  night  suffering  from  an  acci- 
dent. She  had  been  run  over  by  a  vehicle,  and  now  she  is 
dead."  The  lady  opens  the  Bible,  finds  her  own  name 
written  therein,  and  is  much  surprised.  With  suppressed 
emotion  she  asks  :  '*  Did  the  young  woman  say  much  after 
she  was  brought  to  the  hospital  ?"  The  nurse  answers  : 
M  All   she  said   was,    '  I   thank   God   the  accident  did  not 


THE  BISHOPS  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  NEW  YORK.      871 

occur  on  Monday  '  " — the  day  before  the  Bible  had  been 
given  to  her.  Great,  indeed,  was  the  lady's  joy  that  she 
had  heeded  the  inward  voice,  saying  : 

"  GO    SPEAK    TO    THAT    YOUNG    WOMAN   !" 

and  that  before  the  young  woman  departed  she  expressed 
gratitude  for  mercy  vouchsafed.  This  doubtless  incited 
the  lady  not  to  procrastinate  present  duty,  and  to  tell  the 
penitent  sinner  :  "  Christ  died  for  your  sins,  and  you  with 
Him  was  crucified.  He  rose  from  the  dead,  that  the  con- 
demned might  be  justified,  and  in  your  Representative  you 
also  arose.  He  ascended  to  be  enthroned  as  your  all-suf- 
ficient Advocate,  and  in  Him  each  believer  is  seated  in 
the  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus  !" 


672  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER   XLII. 

FATHER    OSBORNE    AT    TRINITY    CHURCH. 

The  Battle  of  the  Cross  of  Christ — Description  of  the  Preacher 
—  The  Ministers  the  Times  JVeed—11  The  Church  must  be 
Wide  and  Flexible  in  its  Methods" — "  The  Armory  of  Heaven 
is  not  Empty. ' ' 

The  Rev.  Father  Osborne,  of  the  Society  of  St.  John  the 
Evangelist,  Cowley,  England,  on  Monday,  April  12th, 
1886,  commenced  a  noonday  mission  to  men  in  Trinity 
Church,  New  York.  After  prayer  and  the  hymn,  "  Rock 
of  Ages,  cleft  for  me,"  the  Missioner  selected  for  his  text  : 
"  Bat  we  preach  Christ  crucified,  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling- 
block,  and  to  the  Greeks  foolishness"  (1  Cor.  1  :  23). 
The  introduction  of  the  sermon  set  forth  that  men  gener- 
ally take  delight  in  witnessing  a  fight,  either  between  men 
or  boys.  Though  some  may  mentally  wish  that  some 
person  would  separate  the  combatants,  they  allow  the  fight 
to  go  on,  and  mentally  conclude  which  of  them  will  be  the 
victor.  When  two  nations  are  in  a  state  of  conflict  we 
read  with  avidity  the  daily  papers  describing  the  progress 
of  the  battle.  There  is  within  us  a  power  to  contend  and 
a  desire  to  fight.  "  A  child,"  said  the  preacher,  "  whom 
I  was  baptizing,  as  if  unwilling  to  receive  the  symbol  of 
the  warfare  from  which  human  nature  shrinks,  struck  out 
his  little  hand  just  as  I  was  about  to  make  upon  his  fore- 
head the  sign  of  the  cross."  The  subject  of  the  sermon 
on  Monday  was  : 


FATHER  OSBORNE  AT  TRINITY  CHURCH.  678 


THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    CROSS    IN    THE    INTELLECT. 

The  preacher  said  :  "  If  we  leave  out  what  is  meant  by 
1  the  cross  of  Christ  '  from  the  life  of  Christ,  His  life  is 
nothing  more  than  the  life  of  an  ordinary  man.  But 
Christ's  life  and  death  were  a  revelation  of  God's  good- 
will toward  man."  The  preacher  set  forth  that  each  per- 
son is  called  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  the  cross  of  Christ, 
from  which  no  one  may  be  excused.  This  battle  is  (a) 
a  battle  of  humility,  {b)  a  battle  of  suffering,  (<r)  a  battle 
inspiring  hope,  (J)  a  battle  that  brings  a  sure  reward  to 
each  who  accepts  the  Godhead  of  Christ,  obeys  His  com- 
mandments, and  "  continues  Christ's  faithful  soldier  and 
servant  until  his  life's  end."  Father  Osborne's  sermon  on 
Tuesday  described  "  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  in  the  Soul  ;" 
Wednesday,  "  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  in  the  Body  ;" 
Thursday,  "  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  in  the  Home  ;" 
Friday,  "  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  in  Business  ;"  Saturday, 
"  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  in  Society."* 

"  Jesus  calls  us  ;  o'er  the  tumult 
Of  our  life's  wild,  restless  sea, 
Day  by  day  His  sweet  voice  soundeth. 
Saying,  '  Christian,  follow  Me.'  " 

THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    CROSS    IN    THE    SOUL. 

Father  Osborne's  sermon  to  business  men  on  Tuesday 
was  based  on  Ezek.  17  :  14  :  "  Behold,  all  souls  are  mine, 
saith  the  Lord."  The  introduction  showed  wherein  the 
functions  of  the  soul  differ  from  those  of  the  mind  ;  for 
the  intellectual  eye  perceives,  but  the  soul  loves  or  hates  ; 
and  because  the  life  of  the  soul  is  deeper  and  more  in- 
tense than  the  life  of  the  mind,  in   popular  phrase  we  say 

*  From  the  author's  report  in  the  Independent  of  April  22d. 


674  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

of  one  man  "  he  is  a  noble  soul  ;"  but  of  a  mean  man  "  he 
has  no  soul.''  The  sermon  set  forth  that  the  battle  of  the 
Cross  in  the  soul  is  more  formidable  and  the  conflict 
greater  than  in  the  intellect,  and  specified  the  difficulties  of 
the  struggle,  and  how  to  overcome  them. 

The  Saviour  of  men  was  the  model  man  ;  and  His 
human  intellect,  and  soul,  and  will  always  harmonized 
with  the  Divine  will  ;  and  He  expressed  His  acqui- 
escence, saying  :  "  Thy  will,  O  Lord,  be  done."  It  is  a 
great  achievement  for  a  man  to  yield  his  will  to  the  will 
of  God,  and  to  learn  at  the  cross  of  Christ  how  to  find  rest 
for  his  agitated  soul.  God  gave  man  freedom  of  will  to 
choose  or  to  refuse,  in  order  that  he  might  not  be  a  mere 
human  machine,  destitute  of  the  power  to  love  what  he 
admires,  and  to  repel  what  he  hates.  With  great  fervor 
and  fluency  the  preacher  emphasized  the  blessedness  of 
harmony  between  the  human  will  of  man  and  the  holy  will 
of  God.  Whoever  sincerely  says,  "  I  delight  to  do  Thy 
will,  O  God,"  his  soul  revolves  in  the  sphere  of  celestial 
harmony,  and  he  hears  the  mandate  :   "  Peace,  be  still." 

"  As  of  old,  apostles  heard  it 
By  the  Galilean  lake, 
Turned  from  home,  and  toil,  and  kindred, 
Leaving  all  for  His  dear  sake." 

THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    CROSS    IN    THE    BODY. 

The  sermon  on  Wednesday  was  based  on  Phil.  3  :  18, 
19  ;  and  in  scathing  tones  the  preacher  denounced  certain 
sins,  and  their  blighting  effects  on  the  body  and  mind  of 
whoever  lives  to  gratify  his  lower  nature.  With  great 
plainness,  combined  with  great  prudence,  he  alluded  to 
sins  committed  by  young  men,  men  of  middle-age,  and 
men  of  maturity  ;  and  showed  that  men  whose  primary 
object  of  life   is   pleasure  are  the  most  wretched  of  their 


FATHER  OSBORNE  AT  TRINITY  CHURCH.  675 

race.  The  judgments  of  God  that  overwhelmed  sinners  in 
times  past  were  cited  as  solemn  warnings  to  those  who  live 
to  gratify  the  passions,  and  who  mind  only  earthly  things  ; 
and  he  thanked  God  that  in  the  battle  of  the  Cross  with 
bodily  appetites  he  had  given  many  strength  to  conquer 
and  march  heavenward,  singing  : 

"  In  our  joys  and  in  our  sorrows, 

Days  of  toil  and  hours  of  ease, 
•  Still  Christ  calls,  in  cares  and  pleasures, 

'  Christian,  love  Me  more  than  these.'  " 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  CROSS  IX  THE  HOME. 

Father  Osborne's  sermon  on  man's  domestic  duties  was 
preached  Thursday,  and  was  based  on  the  command  : 
"  Go  to  thy  home,  and  tell  what  the  Lord  hath  done  for 
thee"  (Matt.  5  :  19).  The  Gospel,  said  the  preacher, 
teaches  the  oblation  of  self  for  the  good  of  others.  Christ 
sacrificed  His  all  for  us,  and  His  Cross  teaches  us  to  put 
self  away,  and  to  bring  every  faculty  of  mind  and  body 
into  subjection  to  Christ.  The  preacher  said  that  if  he 
had  a  daughter,  and  a  gentleman  should  ask  his  consent 
to  marry  her,  the  first  question  he  would  ask  him  would 
be  :  "  Where  do  you  propose  to  live  ?"  If  he  should  an- 
swer, "  At  a  hotel  or  a  boarding-house,"  under  no  circum- 
stances would  he  consent  that  his  daughter  marry  any  man 
who  could  not  provide  a  home  for  her,  however  humble. 
He  said  that  to  live  at  hotels  or  boarding-houses  might 
save  some  trouble,  but  life  where  children  are  not  welcome 
is  not  "  home  life  ;"  and  a  place  where  children  are  not 
welcome  is  not  a  home.  .   .   . 

"  Jesus  calls  us  from  the  worship 

Of  the  vain    world's  golden  store, 
From  each  idol  that  would  keep  us, 
Saying  :   '  Christian,  love  Me  more.'  " 


676  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    CROSS    IN    BUSINESS'. 

The  sermon  was  based  on  the  Saviour's  declaration  : 
"  A  rich  man  shall  hardly  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven"  (Matt.  19:23).  Father  Osborne  said  his  text  did 
not  teach  that  it  is  impossible  for  a  rich  man  to  be  saved, 
but  that  he  can  be  saved  only  as  the  result  of  a  struggle 
with  mammon.  He  alluded  to  the  desire  to  be  wealthy,  as 
contained  in  the  expressions  :  "  If  I  were  rich,"  and 
"  When  I  am  rich/'  etc.  The  necessity  of  the  conflict  may 
be  seen  :  First,  in  the  fact  that  the  end  of  true  life  is  the 
soul  rising  to  God  ;  and  man's  life  in  every  relation  should 
lead  to  this.  Second,  man's  life  in  his  business  is  disap- 
pointing, and  the  world  deceives  him.  Money-getting  is  so 
absorbing  that  many  say  :  "  I  have  no  time  to  attend  to 
religion.  Money  is  close  at  hand  ;  God  is  far  away." 
Others,  who  are  making  haste  to  be  rich,  say  :  "  I  have 
no  time  to  attend  to  statesmanship  ;"  and  unprincipled 
men  are  among  those  who  attend  to  the  civic  affairs  of  the 
city.  Money-getting  is  also  demoralizing  ;  whether  it 
need  be  is  another  question  ;  but,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  con- 
tact with  that  which  is  less  than  ourselves  cannot  elevate  ; 
and  so  minds  gifted,  noble,  generous,  become  feeble, 
dwarfed,  contracted.  And  from  this  follows  a  lower  stan- 
dard of  right  and  wrong. 

The  question  asked  is  not,  "Is  it  right?"  but  "  Will  it 
pay  ?"  "Is  there  any  money  in  it  ?"  In  order  to  be  rich 
many  stoop  to  ''  sharp  practice"  and  acts  of  "  low  cun- 
ning," and  to  gratify  selfishness  commit  deeds  of  cruelty. 
The  greatness  of  a  financial  transaction  does  not  make  the 
action  right.  The  preacher  referred  to  the  commercial 
gambler  who  "  waters  stocks,"  and  to  the  man  at  Five 
Points  who  "  waters  milk  ;"  to  the  man  who  makes  a  con- 
tract, but  fails  to   keep  it  ;  and,  to   show  that  trifling  acts 


FATHER  OSBORNE  AT  TRINITY  CHURCH.  677 


lead  to  great  dishonesty,  he  referred  to  the  man  who  occu- 
pied a  position  of  trust  in  Boston,  who  stole  a  fellow-em- 
ploye's banana  ;  and  the  number  of  clerks  in  the  establish- 
ment looked  up  to  the  man  who  was  guilty  of  petty  theft 
as  their  model  of  integrity  !  Even  some  who  profess  to 
be  religious  have  taken  a  low  view  of  business  honesty. 
To  stand  alone  among  business  men  and  shun  dishonor- 
able transactions  involves  a  real  conflict.  In  closing  the 
sermon,  Father  Osborne  alluded  to  the  result  of  money 
gained  wrongly.  He  mentioned  the  story  concerning  the 
history  of  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver,  the  amount  received 
by  Judas  as  the  reward  for  his  treachery  ;  the  curse  of  sac- 
rilege ;  the  warriors  who  placed  their  bullet-shattered  ban- 
ners on  the  altar,  after  which  they  were  suspended  in  the 
church  as  sacred  relics  of  fierce  conflict  with  foes.  He 
showed  that,  at  last,  not  he  who  has  been  admired  and 
flattered  will  receive  the  crown  of  victory,  but  "  he  that 
overcometh."  In  tones  of  intense  earnestness  he  implored 
his  hearers  to  faithfully  fight  the  battle  of  the  Cross  in 
their  commercial  transactions,  that  they  may  exclaim  :  "  I 
have  fought  a  good  fight  ;"  and,  when  Christ  appears, 
receive  the  crown  of  life  that  fadeth  not  away. 

"  Jesus  calls  us  :  by  Thy  mercies, 
Saviour,  may  we  hear  Thy  call. 
Give  us  hearts  to  Thine  obedience, 
Serve  and  love  Thee  best  of  all." 

THE    BATTLE    OF    THE    CROSS    IN    SOCIETY. 

The  closing  sermon  of  the  series  was  preached  Saturday, 
April  17th,  and  based  on  the  Saviour's  words  :  "  Whoso- 
ever will  come  after  Me,  let  him  deny  himself  and  take  up 
his  cross  and  follow  Me"  (Mark  8  :  3%).  After  reading  the 
context,  Father  Osborne  asked  :  "  Has  any  one  ever  real- 
ized the  ideal   in  these  words  ?"     St.  Paul,  contemplating 


678  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Rome,  then  the  city  of  the  world,  and  the  cross  of  Jesus, 
said  :  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  ;"  and 
that  gallant  soldier  of  Christ,  having  fought  the  battle  of 
the-Cross  in  His  own  mind,  and  soul,  and  body,  fought  it 
also  in  society. 

The  sermon  set  forth,  first,  that  in  society  the  battle  has 
a  field,  unlimited  in  extent,  and  its  influence  meets  us 
everywhere.  The  mind  bows  before  it,  and  the  soul  is 
sacrificed  to  it.  Its  maxims  rule  the  home,  and,  in  some 
degree,  control   even   business. 

Second,  the  battle  of  the  Cross  is  a  great  battle  ; 
for  here  personal  interest  is  brought  to  bear,  and  the 
results  of  personal  influence  are  lasting  for  good  or  for 
evil. 

Third,  the  influence  of  society  is  antagonistic  to  the 
Cross,  for  it  lives  for  this  world,  it  is  luxurious  and 
selfish,  it  refuses  to  take  trouble,  and  is  characterized  by 
laziness  and  luxurious  indulgence,  and  will  not  practise 
self  denial. 

Fourth,  the  battle  of  the  Cross  in  society  is  a  solitary 
battle.  In  this  is  its  chief  hardness.  Even  apart  from  those 
who  are  known  as  religious  people,  the  combatant  must 
stand  forth  and  contend  alone  ;  and  he  requires  great 
moral  courage  to  patiently  bear  the  accusations  that  he 
is  proud  and  self-righteous.  Because  you  will  not  accept 
the  maxims  of  society,  nor  court  its  friendship,  and  will 
shield  your  home  from  "the  fast  man,"  and  refuse  its 
methods  of  business,  and  despise  its  luxury,  you  will  be 
thought  and  called  "  a  fool  ;"  and  society  will  not  forgive 
the  man  who  holds  it  in  contempt. 

The  preacher  urged  the  Christian  to  fight  manfully  the 
battle  of  the  Cross  in  society  with  hopefulness,  for  there 
is  power  in  it  ;  and  gave  illustrations  from  sacred  and  secu- 
lar history  what  one  person,    by  God's  strength  and  in 


FATHER  OSBORNE  AT  TRINITY  CHURCH,  679 

Christ's  name,  might  do,  as  illustrated  by  Jeroboam,  and 
by  Telemachus,  through  whom  the  cruel  slaughter  at  the 
Coliseum  in  Rome  was  brought  to  an  end.  When  a  young 
man,  the  preacher  was  an  unbeliever  ;  but  through  the 
influence  of  a  layman  his  mode  of  life  was  changed. 

He  encouragingly  said  :  "  This  battle  of  the  Cross  in 
society  is  not  really  solitary,"  for  to  sustain  us  we  have  the 
Communion  of  Saints  ;  and  referred  to  the  seven  thousand 
who  had  not  bowed  to  the  idol  Baal  in  the  days  of  the 
Prophet  Elijah,  who  was  not  left  to  contend  alone.  The 
faithf.ul  Christian  warrior  has  the  presence  of  Christ,  who 
first  fought  this  battle  with  society.  At  the  final  review 
the  victors  will  be  recognized  by  the  King  of  kings,  and 
receive  the  crown  of  victory. 

"  Nearer,  my  God,  to  Thee, 
Nearer  to  Thee, 
E'en  though  it  be  a  cross 
That  raiseth  me." 

The  devout  attention  of  the  large  congregations  in 
Trinity  Church  who  listened  to  Father  Osborne's  sermons 
on  "  The  Battle  of  the  Cross  of  Christ,"  the  opposing 
forces,  how  to  overcome  them,  and  the  certainty  of  final 
victory,  made  it  evident  that  when  a  preacher  depicts  the 
sins  committed  by  persons  before  him,  and  faithfully  but 
kindly  warns  them  of  their  guilt  and  danger,  that  they  may 
be  cleansed  from  the  former  and  escape  the  latter,  they 
listen  with  both  patience  and  gratitude.  Thus  saith  the 
Lord,  "  Preach  the  preaching  that  I  bid  thee,"  should  be 
every  preacher's  motto  ;  for  he  is  not  responsible  for  the 
nature  of  his  message,  but  only  for  its  faithful  proclama- 
tion. The  specifications  of  the  consideration  that  hus- 
bands should  show  to  their  wives  were  of  a  very  practical 
character.  The  iniquity  of  pre-natal  murder  and  the  guilt 
of  the  murderers  were  fearlessly  proclaimed.     Married  or 


680  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

single  men  who  perpetuate  "  the  social  evil"  were  depicted 
as  meriting  execration.  To  different  classes  of  domestic 
transgressors  he  did  not  "  prophesy  smooth  things,"  nor 
cry  "  peace,  peace,  when  God  hath  not  spoken  peace." 

A    DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    XOOXDAY    PREACHER. 

Father  Osborne  appears  to  be  about  fifty  years  of  age, 
and  six  feet  in  height.  He  has  a  high  and  intellectual 
forehead,  blue  eyes,  an  oval  face,  a  florid  complexion,  and 
a  benevolent  countenance.  His  iron-gray  hair  is  closely 
cut  and  his  beard  closely  shaven.  He  stands  very  erect, 
and  his  countenance  indicates  that  he  possesses  great  de- 
cision of  character.  He  commences  his  sermon  in  a  sub- 
dued, musical  tone,  and  gradually  increases  its  volume  until 
it  fills  the  building.  With  an  English  accent,  he  increases 
in  rapidity  of  utterance,  and  continues  his  discourse  in  a 
high  monotone.  At  times  his  intensity  gives  a  degree  of 
roughness  to  his  tones,  but  does  not  destroy  his  distinct- 
ness of  enunciation.  Generally  he  expels  more  breath 
than  is  converted  into  pure  tone — which  is  one  cause  of  the 
"  clergyman's  sore  throat."  His  antithesis  is  more  fre- 
quent than  his  climax.  He  makes  use  of  very  few  gestures, 
but  with  each  hand  gently  holding  the  moulding  of  the 
pulpit,  he  emphasizes  successive  sentences  by  a  movement 
of  his  head  and  shoulders.  At  times  his  manner  is  magiste- 
rial and  his  tone  commanding,  and  his  intense  earnestness 
and  inflections  indicate  that  he  believes  the  truthfulness  of 
every  word  he  utters.  Speaking  with  "  the  force  of  per- 
sonal conviction,"  he  arrests  and  holds  the  attention  of 
his  hearers.  They  listen  as  if  spellbound.  Combined 
with  his  apparent  sternness  is  a  spirit  of  tenderness  ;  and 
as  Christ's  ambassador,  responsible  to  God  for  the  mode 
in  which  he  delivers  His  message,  his  manner  and  tone 
indicate  that  his  soul  yearns  to  benefit  his  hearers,  and  that 


/•'.  /  THER  OSBORNE  .  I  T  TR1XI  TV  CI  1 1 TRCH.  68 1 


the  Holy  Ghost  may  move  them   to  be  wise  in   this  their 
day  of  visitation,  and  not  "  neglect  so  great  salvation." 

A  few  clergymen  were  included  among  the  venerable 
bankers  and  smart-looking  brokers,  and  the  various  rep- 
resentatives of  commerce  who  attended  the  daily  ser- 
vices. The  singing  was  congregational,  and  very  hearty. 
The  prayers  were  short  and  appropriate,  and  the  sermons 
produced  a  deep  impression.  In  "  Old  Trinity"  Gospel 
warnings  and  entreaties  have  been  earnestly  and  faithfully 
sounded,  and  business  men  have  heard  "precept  upon 
precept." 

THE    KIND    OF    MINISTERS    NOW    NEEDED.* 

What  is  called  the  spirit  of  the  age— the  common  mould 
and  movement  of  this  generation  ;  its  dominant  aims  ;  its 
prevailing  tempers  and  modes  of  life  ;  its  materialistic 
way  of  looking  at  the  realities  of  being  and  destiny,  of  1ife 
and  death,  of  sin  and  holiness,  of  probation,  responsibility, 
eternal  judgment  ;  its  self-indulgence,  mammon-worship, 
and  passionate  greed  for  pleasures  that  make  up  the  life  of 
the  flesh  that  withers  with  the  grass  and  wanes  with  the 
sun — alas  !  how  all  these  have  smothered,  depressed,  dis- 
torted, deadened  our  Christian  conscience,  and  walled  up 
the  path  that  leads  to  heaven  and  to  God  !  Ah  !  were  five- 
score John  Baptists  and  as  many  Pauls  sent  among  us,  cry- 
ing in  the  highways  and  byways,  and  working  by  methods 
which,  because  of  their  strange  zeal  and  courage,  were 
deemed  by  slumbering  thousands  irregular,  spasmodic, 
extraordinary,  they  would  not  be  too  great  a  company  to 
arouse  the  indifferent,  the  doubting,  the  sleeping  masses 
around  us.  It  were  well,  if  both  could  be  done  by  stated 
and    ordinary    means  ;  but   alas  !    experience   shows    they 

*  Address  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  A.  N.  Littlejohn,  D.D.,  at  the  close  of  the 
mission  at  St.  Luke's,  Brooklyn. 


682  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

cannot.     Our   fallen    and    wayward  nature   must  be  dealt 
with  in  all  its  moods,  in  all  its  liabilities. 

THE    CHURCH    MUST    BE    WIDE    AND    FLEXIBLE. 

The  Church  must  be  as  wide  and  flexible  in  its  meth- 
ods as  the  nature  which  it  would  lead  to  Christ.  Sin 
creates  emergencies  ;  Satan  plies  us  with  extraordinary 
temptations  ;  the  world  and  the  flesh  press  upon  us  in 
strange  and  unlooked-for  ways  ;  the  Divine  life  within 
us  passes,  at  times,  under  shadows,  way  out  into  a  dark- 
ness that  drops  upon  it  we  scarce  know  how  or  whence  ; 
the  chariot  wheels  of  the  Spirit  that  drove  smoothly  enough 
beside  the  water-courses  of  salvation  now  and  then  refuse 
to  move  along  the  stony  road  of  hearts  alienated  from  God, 
or  stick  fast  in  the  deep  mire  of  indifference  or  ungodli- 
ness. At  such  times  what  shall  we  do  ?  Shall  we  fold  our 
hands  and  cry  out  that  evil  has  got  the  start  of  us,  and  we 
cannot  overtake  or  check  it  ?  Shall  we  admit  that  the 
militant  host  of  God's  elect  is  outflanked,  that  the  Church, 
the  one  witness  through  the  ages  of  the  power  of  a  super- 
natural redemption,  the  one  pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth 
which  alone  can  make  us  free,  and  in  our  freedom  alive 
once  more  unto  God— shall  we  admit  that  it  is  without  dis- 
cretion or  resource  to  cope  with  such  emergencies  ?  God 
forbid  ! 

THE    ARMORY    OF    HEAVEN    IS    NOT    EMPTY. 

The  needed  weapons  are  always  there,  always  waiting 
upon  the  courage  and  valor  of  Christ's  true  soldiers  and 
servants.  Never  was  there  a ,  war  yet  that  strained  a 
nation's  life  that  had  not  its  campaigns,  its  strategies,  its 
risks,  its  perils,  its  victories  outside  and  even  contrary  to 
accepted,  ordinary  rules  of  fighting.  Shall  it  be  said  that 
the  mightiest,   most  desperate  and  prolonged  of  all  con- 


l\  I  THER  ( )SBOANE  A  T  TRIN1 TY  CHI  rR(  II.  083 


flicts — that  of  the  incarnate,  crucified  Son  of  God  with  a 
world  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins — that  in  which  we  enlisted 
when  we  took  the  sign  of  the  cross  in  baptism,  and  some 
of  us  took  again  in  a  certain  special  and  awful  sense  when 
we  were  set  apart  to  the  ministry  of  reconciliation — shall 
it  be  said  that  this  in  which  all  other  wars  are  swallowed 
up,  and  on  which  hangs  the  destiny  not  merely  of  indi- 
vidual souls,  but  of  the  universe  itself,  is  the  one  exception 
that  allows  no  fighting  that  is  not  squared  to  the  line  and 
plummet  of  custom,  of  fixed  rules,  of  unvarying  tradi- 
tions ?  .   .   . 

TANGENT    MOVEMENTS    NOT    TO    BE    FEARED. 

The  Church,  which  is  one  and  the  same  in  its  essentials, 
through  all  time  has  been  speaking  to  you,  though  in  un- 
wonted tones  and  by  extraordinary  methods.  Through  it 
all  it  has  spoken  by  the  lips  of  its  own  validly-commis- 
sioned  ministry  ;  washed  and  fed  you  after  a  spiritual 
manner  by  sacraments  instituted  by  its  own  eternal  Head 
and  ordained  by  Him  to  convey  the  same  unchanging 
grace  ;  drawn  from  the  Holy  Scriptures — the  one  immu- 
table and  inspired  record  of  the  Word  of  Life— the  one  per- 
petual charter  of  its  own  authority  and  work  among  men  ; 
and  used  devotions  and  prayers  which,  however  free  and 
fervid,  have  been  pitched  on  the  key-note  and  conformed 
its  spirit  to  its  own  majestic  and  hallowed  Liturgy.  Be- 
cause this  Church  is  what  it  is,  and  has  what  it  has,  there 
is  no  ground  to  fear  the  fullest  play  and  counterplay  of  its 
centrifugal  and  centripetal  forces.  The  centre  is  always 
sure  ;  we  always  know  where  that  is,  so  long  as  we  know 
where  Christ  is,  and  so  long  as  our  grasp  is  fixed  upon  the 
order,  the  sacraments,  the  discipline,  the  worship  which 
He  instituted,  and  with  these  upon  the  fundamental  aims 
and  processes  of  the  spiritual  life  of  which  He  is  the  one 


(384  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

everlasting  Source.  Tied  to  this  burning,  immovable 
centre,  standing  behind  these  sure  safeguards  planted 
around  it,  we  need  not  fear  the  tangent  movements,  the 
extraordinary  instrumentalities  for  the  conversion  or 
quickening  of  souls,  however  they  seem  to  sweep  off  in 
abnormal  circuits  through  the  desert  wastes  of  an  evil 
world.   .   .   . 

It  were  easy  to  show  that  our  very  manual  of  worship, 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  with  all  its  majesty  of  tone, 
and  reverence  for  order,  and  fixedness  of  arrangement, 
abundantly  provides  for  seasons  and  methods  of  special 
work  for  souls.  The  fact  is,  and  let  us  all  understand  it, 
the  Church  is  seeking  to  recover  and  bring  to  the  front 
more  and  more  gifts  and  powers  which  have  gone  to  rust 
for  lack  of  using.  She  is  rounding  out,  more  and  more, 
her  own  consciousness,  and,  with  that,  her  modes  of  wor- 
ship, her  styles  of  preaching,  her  methods  of  practical 
activity,  so  as  to  bring  them  all  up  to  the  level  of  her 
always  Catholic  heritages.  She  is  for  all  men,  and  to  all 
she  must  speak.  She  is  for  the  ages,  and  to  each  she  must 
present  Christ  as  the  fulness  of  Him  who  filleth  all  in  all. 

THE    MTSSIONERS    OF    PAST    AGES. 

What  you  have  witnessed  ...  is  as  old  as  God's 
covenants  and  dispensations  for  reclaiming  man  to  Him- 
self. Go  read  the  ancient  prophets  of  Israel,  whose  mes- 
sage ran  like  a  track  of  fire  through  the  home,  and  market- 
places, and  shrines,  and  hearts  of  God's  people  when  smit- 
ten with  strange  idols  and  sunk  in  ignorance  and  sin.  Go 
read  the  records  of  the  apostolic  and  sub-apostolic  ages  of 
the  Church  ;  turn  the  leaves  that  tell  you  of  Chrysostom, 
and  Boniface,  and  St.  Anthony  of  Padua  ;  of  the  Bernards, 
and  Wycliffes,  and  Luthers,  and  Ridleys,  and  Latimers  of 
other  days.     Recall  the  labors,  the  missions  of  the  first  and 


FATHER  OSBORNE  AT  TRIXITY  CHURCH. 


second  generations  of  preaching  friars,  who  travelled  from 
city  to  city,  from  hamlet  to  hamlet,  from  country  to 
country,  barefooted,  half  clothed,  unfed,  unpaid,  in  out- 
ward guise  beggars,  and  preached  to  "  all  sorts  and  con- 
ditions of  men."  "The  Spirit  and  the  bride  say,  Come. 
And  let  him  that  heareth  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that  is 
athirst  come.  And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water 
of  life  freely." 


686  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

TIMELY    PREPARATION    FOR    A    MISSION    ESSENTIAL. 

Miscellaneous  Services  not  a  Mission— Before  the  Mission — 
During  the  Mission — After  the  Mission — Applications  for 
Missioners—  The  Rev.  Father  Hall  —His  Judicious  Advice — 
The  Bishop  of  Bedford — ' '  A  Mission  is  a  Beginning,  not 
an  Ending. ' ' 

A  parochial  mission  is  a  series  of  Evangelistic  services, 
but  any  series  of  services  is  not  a  parochial  mission.  In 
some  churches  a  series  of  sermons  have  been  preached  by- 
different  clergymen  night  after  night  ;  but  while  they  were 
rhetorically  excellent,  as  they  were  not  "  homogeneous," 
but  "  miscellaneous,"  one  more  or  less  neutralized  the 
impression  of  the  other  ;  and  as  the  results  that  usually  ac- 
company amission  were  not  apparent,  disappointment  was 
the  result.  Moreover,  some  Rectors  have  desired  a  mis- 
sion, hoping  that  it  might  suddenly  elevate  the  parish  from 
chronic  depression  to  the  height  of  spiritual  prosperity  ! 
But  in  order  that  a  mission  prove  successful,  the  conditions 
of  success  must  be  complied  with,  (a)  Before  the  mission 
earnest  prayer  should  ascend  that  God's  blessing  rest  upon 
the  effort  to  be  made  to  promote  His  glory,  (b)  During 
the  mission  the  prayers  and  hymns  and  sermons  should 
harmonize  with  its  specific  object,  and  be  a  concentrated 
spiritual  force  to  influence  the  intellect,  to  admire  the 
Saviour's  glories,  the  heart  to  supremely  love  Him,  and 
the  will  to  choose  Him  as  the  Almighty  Deliverer  from  the 


PREPARATION  FOR  A  MISSION  ESSENTIAL.         687 

guilt  and  penalty  and  dominion  of  sin.  [c)  After  the  mis- 
sion the  Rector  should  faithfully  labor  to  deepen  the 
impressions  which,  through  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Mis- 
sioner  may  have  made,  remembering  that  conversion  is  not 
justification,  nor  sanctification,  nor  glorification,  but  turn- 
ing the  back  upon  Satan  and  the  world,  and  the  face  tow- 
ard God  and  heaven. 

The  prodigal  son  resolved  (a)  to  turn  his  face  toward 
home  ;  (/>)  he  took  the  necessary  steps  to  reach  it  ;  (c)  his 
father  gladly  welcomed  him,  and  freely  forgave  him  ; 
(<f)  he  was  clothed  in  comely  raiment,  and  (e)  partook  of 
the  feast  provided.  So,  whoever  is  converted  through  a 
mission  needs  the  assurance  of  forgiveness  ;  his  Saviour's 
robe  of  righteousness  ;  constant  refreshment  through  God's 
appointed  "  means  of  grace,"  and  the  spiritual  invigora- 
tion  of  the  Holy  Eucharist. 

A  mission,  therefore,  is  not  a  clerical  galvanic  battery 
that  will  energize  the  feeble  limbs  of  a  "feeble  parish." 
And  Rectors  who  desire  the  aid  of  a  Missioner,  from  a 
timely  and  judicious  letter  by  the  Rev.  Arthur  C.  Hall,  of 
Boston,  Mass.,*  may  learn  what  not  to  expect  if  due  prep- 
aration for  a  mission  has  not  been  made,  and  what  to 
hope  for  if  the  conditions  of  success  be  complied  with. 

PREPARATION    FOR    MISSIONS. 

11  The  stream  of  applications  which  I  have  received  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  with  regard  to  parochial  missions 
since  the  Advent  Mission  in  New  York  seems  to  warrant  a 
few  words  gathered  from  experience  as  to  the  conditions 
which  alone  can  make  a  mission  of  true  and  lasting  benefit. 
Many  clergy  seem  to  think  that  a  mission  is  a  panacea  for 

*  New  York  Churchman,  March  26th,  1886. 


688  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

all  ills,  a  sort  of  patent  medicine  lately  added  to  the  ecclesi- 
astical pharmacy,  which  may  be  administered  in  much  the 
same  way,  whatever  the  disease  to  be  cured,  or  whatever 
the  circumstances  of  the  suffering  parish.  In  illustration 
of  my  meaning,  I  will  cite  three  instances  of  applications, 
which  seem  to  show  a  misconception  of  the  real  nature  of 
a  mission.  I  have  lately  been  asked  to  provide  for  a  mis- 
sion in  a  large  city  in  a  distant  State,  at  two  weeks'  notice, 
this  being  the  length  of  time  allowed  both  to  the  preacher 
and  to  the  parish  for  preparation. 

"  In  another  State  I  have  been  begged  to  conduct  a  mis- 
sion either  for  two  weeks  or  for  two  days.  In  most  places, 
large  and  small,  where  a  mission  is  contemplated,  the  sug- 
gestion is  made  that  a  daily  noon  service  for  men  would 
be  very  desirable,  because  this  met  with  marked  success  in 
Trinity  Church,  New  York. 

14  With  reference  to  misconceptions — of  which  these  may 
be  taken  as  samples — may  I  say  that  a  considerable  experi- 
ence in  the  conduct  of  missions,  both  in  this  country  and 
in  England,  has  made  the  following  points  perfectly  clear 
to  my  brethren  and  myself  : 

44  i.  That  the  results,  so  far  as  man  can  judge,  of  a  mis- 
sion are  generally  in  proportion  to  the  thoroughness  and 
continuance  of  the  previous  pastoral  work  in  the  parish. 
A  mission  is  in  no  sense  a  substitute  for  diligent  pastoral 
work,  nor  can  the  work  of  years  be  done  by  accumulation 
in  twelve  days.  In  parochial  missions,  especially,  is  the 
saying  realized  :  '  One  soweth  and  another  reapeth.'  The 
mission  priest  is  called  in  when  the  parish  priest  has  done 
his  best. 

44  2.  Moreover,  that  lengthened  immediate  preparation 
for  a  mission  is  of  the* greatest  importance.  I  see  no  reason 
to  modify  the  rule  laid  down  in  a  paper  we  put  forth  some 
little  time  ago  on  the  subject  of  4  Parochial  Missions,'  that 


PREPARA  TION  FOR  A  MI  SSI  OX  ESSENTIAL. 


'  the  preparation  should  in  no  case  be  less  than  three 
months.' 

11  3.  That  the  greatest  elasticity  should  be  allowed  in  the 
arrangement  of  plans,  no  stereotyped  order  being  followed, 
but  all  distinctly  adapted  to  the  actual  circumstances  and 
possibilities  of  the  place. 

"  4.  That  the  duration  of  a  mission  should,  if  possible, 
be  lengthened  rather  than  shortened  from  the  customary 
ten  or  twelve  days.  On  the  second  Sunday  many  people 
whom  you  desire  to  influence  may  be  expected  to  attend 
the  services  for  the  first  time,  drawn  by  friends  or  by  curi- 
osity. 

"  If  the  mission  was  of  longer  continuance,  the  services 
and  instructions  could  be  more  varied,  and  not  quite  such 
high  pressure  maintained  throughout  the  whole  time. 
But,  practically,  three  Sundays  mark  the  limit  for  which  a 
mission  preacher  can  be  secured." 

A    MISSION    IS    A    BEGINNING,    NOT    AN    ENDING. 

The  Bishop  of  Bedford,  England,  gives  most  excellent 
advice  to  Rectors  who  desire  a  parochial  mission  :  "  It  is 
a  serious  thing  to  resolve  upon  a  mission  in  one's  parish, 
and  needs  much  serious  thought.  It  is  bringing  a  very 
powerful  force  to  bear  upon  one's  people,  and  they  will  be 
the  better  or  the  worse  for  it.  It  cannot  leave  the  parish 
as  it  finds  it.  To  invoke  this  powerful  force  lightly  and 
carelessly,  without  definite  aim  and  purpose,  and  without 
a  distinct  grasp  of  the  practical  working  and  ultimate  re- 
sults of  a  mission,  is  to  make  a  fatal  mistake.  A  man 
who,  conscious  of  his  own  defects,  and  of  the  unsatis- 
factory state  of  his  parish,  fancies  a  mission  will  set  all  to 
rights,  and  do  a  large  part  of  his  work  for  him,  is  only  pre- 
paring for  himself  disappointment,  and  for  his  people  some- 
thing worse — namely,  the  hardness  of  rejected  grace  and 


690  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

the  deadness  of  burnt-out  excitement.  The  first  thing  to 
be  thoroughly  conscious  of,  in  weighing  the  question 
1  Shall  I  have  a  mission  or  no  ? '  is  the  fact  that  a  mission 
will  inevitably  stir  up  plenty  of  mud,  bring  to  light  plenty 
of  hidden  evil,  and  carve  out  plenty  of  future  work.  If  a 
parish  priest  says,  '  I  long  to  know  my  people  better  ;  I 
long  to  get  at  their  true  wants,  to  understand  their  true 
difficulties,  to  be  brought  face  to  face  with  their  real  inner 
life  ;  I  am  getting  into  a  groove,  working  by  routine,  fail- 
ing to  touch  whole  classes,  such  as  the  laboring  men,  the 
young  lads,  the  rich  and  prosperous  ;  I  long  for  more  true, 
living,  self-denying  work  ;  I  feel  myself  capable  of  it,  and, 
God  helping  me,  I  do  not  mean  to  shrink  from  it'  —  if  a 
man  speaks  thus,  I  would  say  :  '  You  are  the  man  to  have 
a  mission  in  your  parish  !  '  A  mission  (it  cannot  be  too 
strongly  enforced)  is  a  beginning — not  an  ending.  It  is  a 
gathering-up  of  work  for  years  to  come.  It  is  an  attempt 
to  lift  the  whole  parish  up  to  new  life,  and  earnestness, 
and  loving  labor. 

"  We  will  suppose  the  question,  as  to  having  a  mission 
or  no,  settled  in  the  affirmative  ;  the  next  point  is  to  secure 
a  Missioner.  You  had  better  wait  to  get  the  right  man 
than  get  the  wrong  man  because  you  do  not  like  to  wait. 
But  it  is  not  always  easy  to  say  who  is  the  right  man. 
Certain  qualifications,  however,  are  obviously  necessary. 
He  must  be  a  man  of  deep  religious  earnestness,  and  of 
some  power  and  force  of  character  ;  he  must  be  wise  and 
loving  ;  he  must  be  one  whom  you  can  trust,  and  whom 
you  can  bid  your  people  trust  ;  he  must  preach  and  speak 
with  readiness  and  simplicity  ;  and  he  must  be  strong  in 
health  and  voice.  If  you  have  any  friend  answering  to 
this  description,  secure  him  for  the  earliest  time  he  can 
give  you.   .   .   . 

11  But  the  time  is  drawing  near,  and  now  everything  will 


/  *H  E  PARATION  FOR  A   MI  SSI  ON  E  SSI'.  XT  LI  I..  091 

depend  upon  the  nature  and  the  thoroughness  of  the  prep- 
aration. And  that  again  will  depend  upon  the  spirit  in 
which  it  is  undertaken  and  carried  out.  It  is  no  work 
which  can  be  done  by  mere  excellence  of  machinery. 
Organization  is  necessary,  but  organization  is  nothing  if 
there  is  wanting  a  spirit  of  love  and  devotion.  Warm 
hearts,  full  of  sympathy,  full  of  godly  ardor,  full  of  holy 
self-sacrifice — these  are  the  only  things  worth  organizing. 
Of  course  you  cannot  have  any  amount  of  these  to  order  ; 
but  if  you  can  command  none,  I  should  very  much  doubt 
the  wisdom  of  ho.lding  a  mission  at  all.  You  are,  however, 
sure  to  have  some  such  loving,  earnest,  self-denying 
workers  in  your  parish,  and  even  two  or  three  can  do  great 
things  at  such  a  time.  And  the  presence  of  one  who  has 
had  experience  elsewhere  in  the  work,  even  if  only  visiting 
the  parish  for  two  or  three  weeks  before  the  mission,  is 
often  a  great  blessing  and  a  great  help  to  others  whose 
hearts  are  willing,  but  whose  knowledge  is  scanty,  and 
hands  are  clumsy.   .   .   . 

"  It  is  of  primary  moment  that  the  tone  of  the  mission 
should  be  that  of  gravity  and  earnestness,  and  not  of 
bustle  and  excitement.  The  calm,  simple  solemnity, 
which  would  naturally  follow  the  realization  of  God's  pres- 
ence and  of  a  work  done  solely  for  His  glory,  is  what 
should  mark  the  whole  progress  of  the  mission.  .  .  .  On 
this  point  one  may  learn  much  from  J.  H.  Newman's  re- 
markable sermon  on  '  The  Religious  Use  of  Excited  Feel- 
ings,' and  on  '  Religious  Emotion,'  although  we  are  pre- 
sumptuous enough  to  hold  that  this  great  thinker  and 
writer  minimizes  the  province  of  the  emotions,  and  assigns 
to  them  almost  too  limited  a  sphere  of  influence  in  the 
daily  life  of  the  Christian.  Be  this  as  it  may,  the  spirit  of 
the  mission,  even  if  some  amount  of  chastened  excitement 
is  inevitable,  should  be  calm,  prayerful,  earnest,  and  real. 


692  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Above  all,  the  mission  must  be  wholly  practical.  Unless 
the  outflow  of  the  emotions  be  instantly  guided  into  prac- 
tical channels,  there  is  great  danger  of  a  mere  wasteful  and 
harmful  inundation.  It  is  this  that  makes  the  inculcation 
of  definite  practical  resolutions  so  helpful  in  a  mission.  It 
is  this  that  makes  it  so  absolutely  indispensable  to  bear  in 
mind  from  the  very  first  that  you  are  gathering  up  material 
for  long  after-work,  and  that  those  awakened  to  deeper 
seriousness  by  the  prayers  or  preaching  of  the  mission 
week  must  not  be  allowed  to  drop,  but  must  be  classified 
and  trained,  and  led  on,  by  Bible  classes,  Confirmation 
classes,  communicants'  classes,  and,  above  all,  by  much 
quiet  personal  intercourse,  to  the  full  stature  of  Holy 
Christian   manhood. 

"  Years  pass  by.  The  parish  priest  looks  back  to  the 
time  of  his  mission.  What  fruit  can  he  discern  as  still 
abiding  ?  At  first  there  was  much  promise.  But  now  ? 
Well,  perhaps  he  was  too  sanguine.  He  will  have  his  dis- 
appointments. Yet,  if  his  mission  were  a  wise  laying  of 
the  foundation,  and  he  has  been  a  wise  master-builder  in 
his  after-work,  he  will  be  able  to  point  to  here  one,  and 
there  one,  simple,  quiet,  godly  souls,  who  have  learnt  the 
deadliness  of  sin,  who  have  grasped  the  comfort  of  pardon, 
have  seen  visions  of  Divine  holiness  ;  who  have  beheld  the 
outskirts  of  the  measureless  love  of  Christ  ;  who  have 
found  new  joy  in  prayer,  and  new  light  in  praise,  and  new 
strength  in  Holy  Communion  ;  who  are  travelling  on,  not 
without  their  troubles,  but  peaceful,  hopeful,  joyful 
through  all,  and  who  have  said  to  their  pastor  in  hours  of 
quiet  and  blessed  intercourse,  and  do  say  in  their  own 
hearts  again  and  again  :    '  Thank  God  for  the  mission  !  '  " 


THE  KAIJ.  Y1XG  POWER  OF  REVIVAL  HYMNS. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 


How  the  Early  Jfelhodisis  Learned  Theology — The  "Mar- 
seillaise " — "  Rule  Britannia  ' — "  The  Star- Spangled  Banner* ' 
— "Hold  the  Fort" — Hymn  by  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Coxe,  1840  — 
Tina  I  Victory  Assured. 

The  wonderful  revival  in  the  time  of  Wesley  and  White- 
field  aroused  slumbering  poets  to  write  Gospel  hymns,  and 
composers  to  set  the  words  to  tunes  that  did  not  prove  an 
anodyne.  The  uneducated  converts  among  the  Methodists 
learned  theology  through  the  hymns  that  some  of  them 
could  not  read,  but,  without  a  hymnal,  could  fervently  sing 
them.  The  revival  at  the  present  time  has  been  accom- 
panied by  much  singing.  Through  the  reiterated  use  of 
hymns  and  tunes  that  kept  the  singers  awake,  and  those 
who  heard  them,  many  have  learned  "  how  to  come  to 
Christ,"  and  how  to  answer  the  question,  "  What  must  I 
do  to  be  saved  ?"  And  through  the  great  popularity  of 
revival  hymns,  thousands  who  possess  musical  voices, 
instead  of  singing  polluting  songs  now  sing  the  hymns 
which  have  become  familiar  at  home  and  abroad. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL  TO  RALLY. 

The  "  Marseillaise"  stirs  the  patriotism  of  Frenchmen  ; 
11  Rule  Britannia"  awakens  the  dormant  loyalty  of  English- 

*  The  neutralizing  power  of  inappropriate  hymns  is  described  in  "  The 
Church  Revived,"  Part  II.,  Chapter  III.,  p.  98. 


694  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

men  ;  the  "  Star-Spangled  Banner"  excites  the  courage  of 
the  American.     The  chorus  : 

"  Hold  the  fort,  for  I  am  coming, 
Jesus  signals  still  ; 
Wave  the  answer  back  to  heaven  : 
By  Thy  grace  we  will  !" 

has  moved  multitudes  of  Christians  to  watch  and  pray,  and 
fight  the  battle  of  Immanuel.  So  the  hymn  composed  by 
the  Rev.  A.  Cleveland  Coxe,  in  a.d.  1840,  has  been  sung 
with  great  fervor,  and  aroused  and  rallied  slumberers  in 
Zion.  Over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  the  author  memo- 
rized the  hymn,  and  as  it  is  not  in  our  hymnal,  it  is  here 
reproduced.  Discerning  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  hear- 
ing the  prelude  of  the  final  conflict,  the  fervent  Bishop  re- 
sounds the  ma'ndate  :  "  Blow  ye  the  trumpet  in  Zion  ! 
Sound  an  alarm  in  my  holy  mountain  !  Let  all  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  land  tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh, 
it  is  nigh  at  hand!" 

"  We  are  living,  we  are  dwelling, 
In  a  grand  and  awful  time  ; 
In  an  age  on  ages  telling, 
To  be  living  is  sublime. 

"  Hark  !  the  waking  up  of  nations, 
Gog  and  Magog  to  the  fray. 
Hark!  What  soundeth  ?     'Tis   creation's 
Groaning  for  the  latter  day. 

"  Will  ye  play,  then,  will  ye  dally 
With  your  music  and  your  wine  ? 
Up  !  it  is  Jehovah's  rally  : 

God's  own  arm  bath  need  of  thine. 

"  Hark  !  the  onset.     Will  ye  fold  your 
Faith-clad  arms  in  lazy  lock  ? 
Up  !    oh,  up,  thou  drowsy  soldier  ! 
Worlds  are  charging  for  the  shock. 


THE  RALLYING  POWER  OF  REVIVAL  HYMNS.       695 


"  Worlds  are  charging,  heaven  beholding  ; 
Thou  hast  but  an  hour  to  fight. 
Now,  the  blazoned  cross  unfolding, 
On,  right  onward  lor  the  right. 

"  Up  !  let  all  the  soul  within  you 
For  the  truth's  sake  go  abroad  ; 
Strike  !  let  every  nerve  and  sinew 
Tell  on  ages,  tell  for  God. 

"  Sworn  to  fight,  to  falter  never  ; 

Sealed,  baptized,  and  born  again  ; 
Sworn  to  be  Christ's  soldier  ever, 
Oh,  for  Christ  at  least  be  men  !" 

Calmly  surveying  the  battle-field,  buckling  on  the 
Gospel  armor,  courageously  facing  the  adversary,  quitting 
ourselves  like  men,  and,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of 
the  celestial  hosts,  fighting  the  good  fight  of  faith,  final 
victory  is  assured,  and  the  victor's  crown  is  visible. 

Some  time  ago  an  evangelist  said  :  "  Never  did  a  be- 
sieging army  bombard  a  city  with  greater  confidence  of 
beholding  a  surrender  than  we  felt  when  beleaguering 
these  sinners.  Speculation  was  never  more  rife  outside  the 
walls  of  a  besieged  city  as  to  what  part  of  the  walls  would 
be  likely  to  give  way  and  to  cause  a  breach  than  were  the 
speculations  among  transgressors  as  to  what  class  of  sin- 
ners the  truth  would  first  break  down,  and  cause  a  gap  in 
the  ranks  of  sinners.  .  .  .  Pompey  boasted  that  with  one 
stamp  of  his  foot  he  could  raise  all  Italy  in  arms  ;  but  God 
with  one  word  of  His  mouth  can  raise,  not  all  Italy  only, 
but  all  heaven  !'' 

What  are  the  combined"  powers  of  all  the  hosts  of  dark- 
ness and  the  concentrated  forces  of  all  the  hostile  powers 
of  earth  in  comparison  with  the  moral  power  of  Christ's 
Church  when  she  arises  and  puts  forth  her  strength  ? 
What  are  worldly  conquests  compared  with  the  victories  of 


696 


THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 


Christ's  Church  militant  ?  What  are  the  glories  of  earthly 
kingdoms  when  placed  in  contrast  with  the  Church  militant 
emerging  into  the  Church  triumphant,  and  shining  in  the 
glory  of  the  King  of  kings  and  the  Lord  of  lords  ?  And 
what  are  the  martial  eulogies  uttered  to  earthly  conquer- 
ors in  comparison  with  the  doxologies  celebrating  the 
victories  of  Immanuel  ?  Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
may  the  author  and  reader  unite  in  singing:  "Blessing 
and  honor,  and  glory  and  power,  be  unto  Him  that  sitteth 
upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  forever  and  ever  !" 


EXTRACTS   FROM  LETTERS.  697 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

EXTRACTS    FROM    LETTERS    WHOSE    WRITERS    ARE    CHEERED 
THROUGH    THE    NEW    YORK    ADVENT    MISSION. 

Letter  from  Yeovil,  England — From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pliny  B. 
Morga?i — From  the  Rev.  Robert  Paul — From  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Townsend — From  Bishop  Littlejohn — Fro?n  Bishop  Hunt- 
ington. 

Many  years  ago  the  author  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  F.  Gunner, 
when  very  young  men,  held  Evangelistic  services  on 
Ham  Hill,  Stoke,  Somersetshire,  England  ;  at  Martock, 
where  repose  the  remains  of  the  author's  paternal  grand- 
mother and  "  Little  Georgie,"  her  great-great-grandson  ; 
at  South  Petherton  ;  Taunton  ;  Weston  Supermare  ; 
Burnham  ;  Yeovil,  and  at  other  places.  At  Yeovil  they 
hired  the  public  hall,  and  among  those  present  were 
S.  Aplin,  Esq.  After  a  service  a  workingman  invited  the 
young  lay  Evangelists  to  take  tea  with  him,  and  they  accom- 
panied him  to  his  residence.  His  hospitality  and  candor 
were  highly  appreciated  ;  for,  after  a  pleasant  conversation, 
he  said  :  "  My  young  brothers,  I  believe  the  passage, 
1  given  to  hospitality  ;  '  but — but  I  am  a  poor  man,  and 
have  to  offer  you  for  tea  burnt  toast-water,  which  I  use  as 
coffee."  By  this  poor  but  good  man's  candor  we  were 
much  pleased  and  edified.  After  the  evening  service  we 
accepted  an  invitation  from  S.  Aplin,  Esq.,  then  a  whole- 
sale and  retail  grocer,  but  not  the  person  referred  to  by 
Missioner   Aitken   in   a  sermon   in   Trinity    Church,    New 


698  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

York,  and  described  in   "  The  Church   Revived,"  Part  V., 
Chapter  XXVIII. 

Mr.  Aplin,  to  whom  the  author  is  indebted  for  many 
kindnesses  to  himself  and  to  beloved  aunts  departed,  duly 
received  the  glad  tidings  concerning  the  New  York  Advent 
Mission,  published  in  the  Independent,  and  the  following  is 

a  brief  extract  from  his  letter  : 

11  Yeovil,  January  4,  1886. 
"  My  dear  Brother  Bonham  :  I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  kind 
remembrance  of  me  after  so  many  years'  absence.  It  may  be  we  shall 
never  meet  again  in  this  life.  I  am  seventy-five  years  of  age  in  March, 
and  am  getting  to  be  an  old  man.  ...  I  am  pleased  to  learn  that  you 
have  had  that  good  man,  Brother  Aitken,  at  the  New  York  Advent  Mis- 
sion. I  heard  him  at  Weymouth  some  years  ago,  and  with  great  pleas- 
ure. .  .  .  Now,  dear  brother,  I  must  wish  you  farewell.  If  we  never 
meet  again  here,  we  shall  met  where  there  is  no  parting,  and  that  will 
be  joyful  indeed. 

'"  Yours  in  Christ,  our  Life, 

"  I.  S.  Aplin." 

Inclosed  in  the  letter  was  the  whole  of  the  hymn  com- 
mencing : 

"  Shall  we  meet  beyond  the  river, 
Where  the  surges  cease  to  roll  ? 
Where  in  all  the  bright  forever, 

Sorrow  ne'er  shall  press  the  soul  ? 
Shall  we  meet  with  those  departed, 

Who  have  bowed  beneath  death's  wave  ? 
Shall  we  meet  the  holy  myriads 

Who  are  ransomed  from  the  grave  ?" 

EXTRACT    FROM    A    LETTER    FROM    PULASKI,    N.   Y. 

When  the  writer  and  the  receiver  of  this  letter  were 
young  men  they  both  did  Evangelistic  work  in  Trinity 
Church,  near  Finsbury  Square,  London,  England  ;  also 
in  Trinity  Chapel,  Westminster,  not  far  from  the  Abbey. 

"  Pulaski,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1885. 
"  Dear  Brother  Bonham  :  .  .  .   Recently  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
your  name  in  connection  with  the  Advent  Mission.     We  cannot  but  con- 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS.  809 

gratulatc  each  other  on  such  an  auspicious  event,  and  I  had  a  strong 
desire  to  visit  New  York  to  be  present  at  some  of  the  services.  ...  I 
once  heard  Missioner  Aitken's  father  in  London,  and  it  is  delightful  to 
know  that  the  same  missionary  zeal  which  glowed  in  the  father's  breast 
glows  in  the  son's.  What  joy  that  father  must  feel  in  heaven  (for  I  can- 
not doubt  but  he  knows)  to  see  his  son  walking  in  his  steps  ! 

"  Very  often  I  feel  that  I  would  like  to  go  out  myself,  more  faithfully 
than  ever,  into  the  highways  of  this  world,  and  cry  :  '  Behold,  the 
Lamb  ! '  '  Jesus  Christ,  whom  the  heavens  must  retain  until  the  times  of 
restitution,'  has  been  your  theme  and  mine  from  our  early  days  ;  and  as 
we  feel  more  and  more  that  '  time  is  short,'  may  we  be  more  and  more 
grateful  for  that  grace  that  gave  us  such  a  theme,  and  makes  it  grander 
and  brighter  and  more  and  more  joy-inspiring  as  the  years  roll  on. 

"  I  have  been  here  between  seven  and  eight  years,  and  have  songs  to 
sing  both  of  '  mercy  and  of  judgment.' 

M  Of  His  deliverance  I  will  boast, 
Till  all  who  are  distrest, 
By  my  example  courage  take, 
And  calm  their  griefs  to  rest." 

.  .  .  Very  often  my  faith  is  severely  tried.     Pray  for  me.     And  may  we 
realize  more  and  more  that  our  '  Anchor  is  within  the  veil  ;'  '  though  the 
vision  tarry,  wait  for  it  ;  for  it  will  surely  come.' 
"  Fraternally  yours, 

"  Robert  Paul." 

LETTER    FROM    THE    REV.    P.    B.    MORGAN,    M.D. 

Evangelist  Morgan,  who  "  did  a  good  work  in  Central 
New  York,"  expresses  joy  that  his  long-cherished  desire 
that  God  would  greatly  bless  our  Church  is  being  realized. 

"  Connersville,  Ind.,  December  10,  1885. 
"  My  dear  Brother  Bonham  :  I  want  to  thank  you  very  sincerely 
for  your  kind  remembrance  in  sending  to  me  the  notices  of  the  services 
of  the  Advent  Mission,  and  also  for  the  good  articles  which  I  saw  from 
your  pen  in  the  Independent,  and  again  in  the  Living  Church.  The  work 
is  wonderful.  Can  it  be  that,  after  all,  God  in  His  infinite  mercy  is  going 
to  permit  this  branch  of  His  Church  to  be  used  to  realize  the  power  and 
preciousness  and  value  of  a  preached  Gospel,  which  is  '  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation  ?  '  ...   His  name  be  praised  !     I  would  like  to  be  on  the 


700  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ground  ;  but  I  am  just  as  glad  and  as  much  rejoiced  as  I  would  be  were 
I  in  New  York  to  see  with  my  own  eyes  the  great  and  glorious  work. 
"  I  remain,  faithfully  and  affectionately,  yours, 

"  P.  B.  Morgan." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Morgan  is  doing  a  good  work  in  Conners- 
ville,  Ind.  The  author  hopes  that  he  may  again  go  forth 
as  an  Evangelist.  The  report  of  his  mission  in  Indianapo- 
lis in  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part  III.,  Chapter  VI., 
p.  250,  should  move  him  to  do  so. 

JUDGE   NOT. 

"  Judge  not  ;  the  workings  of  his  brain 
And  of  his  heart  thou  canst  not  see  ; 
What  looks  to  thy  dim  eyes  a  stain, 

In  God's  pure  light  may  only  be 
A  scar,  brought  from  some  well- won  field, 
Where  thou  wouldst  only  faint  and  yield. 

"  The  look,  the  air,  that  frets  thy  sight, 

May  be  a  token  that  below 
The  soul  has  closed  in  deadly  fight 

With  some  internal  fiery  foe, 
Whose  glance  would  scorch  thy  smiling  grace, 
And  cast  thee  shuddering  on  thy  face. 

"  The  fall  thou  darest  to  despise — 

May  be  the  slackened  angel's  hand 
Has  suffered  it,  that  he  may  rise 

And  take  a  firmer,  surer  stand  ; 
Or  trusting  less  to  earthly  things, 
May  henceforth  learn  to  use  his  wings. 

"  And  judge  none  lost  ;  but  wait  and  see, 

With  hopeful  pity,  not  disdain  ; 
The  depth  of  the  abyss  may  be 

The  measure  of  the  height  of  pain, 
And  love  and  glory,  that  may  raise 
This  soul  to  God  in  after  davs." 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS.  701 

FROM    THE    REV.   I.   L.   TOWNSEND,  S.T.D. 

11  Washington,  D.  C,  January  13,  1886. 

"  My  dear  Brother  :  Some  lady  sent  me  an  Independent,  and  I  read 
the  account  of  the  mission  with  interest.  Had  your  name  not  been  pre- 
fixed, I  could  not  have  failed  to  recognize  your  style.  ...  I  have  been 
confined  to  my  room  ;  .  .  .  but  if  ever  so  well,  I  could  not  write  you  any- 
thing your  own  good  memory  cannot  supply.  I  have  only  the  naked 
record  ol  the  twelve  days'  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Incarnation  ;  the 
days  and  hours  when  the  services  were  held  ;  what  they  were,  and  the 
parts  taken  by  the  clergy  present.  That  would  not  help  you  much, 
would  it  ? 

"  If  I  had  time  to  tell  you  the  sequel  to  the  mission,  I  am  sure  it  would 
interest  you.     Good  came  out  of  it,  certainly  ;  but,  as  often  happens  in 
God's  all-wise  Providence,  not  in  the  way  we  looked  for. 
"  Truly  yours, 

"I.   L.   TOWNSEND." 
LETTER   FROM    THE   REV.    SPURILLE    BURFORD. 

"  St.  Timothy's  Church,  371  West  Fifty-sixth  St., 
New  York,  February  9,  1886. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Brother  :  Hearing  that  you  are  preparing  a 
volume  to  tell  the  story  of  God's  work  in  reviving  the  dear  old  Church, 
through  the  channel  of  missions,  I  beg  to  add  my  testimonial  in  their 
behalf.  At  my  earnest  entreaty  you  came  to  my  parish,  Calvary  Church, 
New  Orleans,  La.,  in  the  winter  of  1876,  and  began  a  mission  of  eight 
days.  It  had  the  warm  sanction  of  that  sainted  and  beloved  Bishop, 
J.  P.  B.  Wilmer,  D.D.,  who  attended  the  services  frequently,  and  de- 
livered impressive  addresses.  The  clergy  then  residing  in  New  Orleans 
took  an  interest  in  the  work.  The  Church  was  filled  with  people  from 
all  the  parishes  in  the  city,  and  the  mission  made  a  deep  impression  on 
all  who  came,  and  sent  forth,  I  well  recollect,  a  hallowed  influence  upon 
not  only  my  own  parish,  but  caused,  under  God,  a  fresh  glow  to  be  seen 
in  all  the  parishes  in  New  Orleans.  The  faithful  and  pointed  presenta- 
tion of  the  Gospel  which  the  Holy  Spirit  enabled  you  to  make  during 
that  mission  aroused  many  dormant  and  moribund  Christians  to  a  new 
and  a  better  appreciation  of  the  religious  life,  starting  them  out  into  the 
highway   of  self-consecration  in    heart  and  life.     The  careless  and  the 


702  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

ungodly  were  awakened  to  the  need  of  everlasting  life  through  the  cruci- 
fied and  risen  Lord,  and  came  to  Him  in  His  Church,  to  receive  spiritual 
regeneration  and  the  bread  of  life  in  their  Father's  house.  It  was  truly  a 
1  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.'  I  can  never  cease  to 
thank  God  for  your  kindness  in  holding  the  mission  in  my  parish.  You 
had  recently  returned  from  the  great  London  mission,  and  brought  home 
with  you  much  of  the  light  and  fire  which  God  the  Holy  Ghost  had 
poured  out  upon  the  Church  of  England  at  that  time. 

"  I  feel  quite  sure  that  no  one  in  the  American  Church  is  so  well  pre- 
pared to  give  an  accurate,  faithful,  and  instructive  history  of  the  work  of 
missions  as  yourself.  I  want  several  copies  of  the  book,  to  help  me  in  my 
new  field  in  the  metropolis,  and  to  give  my  soul  a  fresh  impetus  in  the 
glorious  work  of  proclaiming  the  pure  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  '  came 
to  seek  and  save  that  which  was  lost.' 

"  I  know  of  no  way  so  effectual  in  making  this  Church  in  America  a 
power  for  evangelizing  the  masses  as  well-conducted  parochial  missions. 
Your  book  ought  to  be  read  by  the  thousands,  in  all  parts  of  North 
America  and  the  Anglican  communion,  and  bring  great  glory  to  God  and 
His  Holy  Church. 

"  Wishing  you  good  luck  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
"  I  am,  my  very  dear  brother, 

"  Yours  faithfully  and  truly,  in  Christ  Jesus, 
"  Spurille  Burford. 

"  The  Rev.  J,  W.  Bonham, 

"  Church  Evangelist,  > 

"  New  York  City." 

LETTER    FROM    THE    BISHOP    OF    LONG    ISLAND,  N.   Y. 

"  Garden  City,  January  12,  18S6. 
"  Reverend  and  dear  Mr.  Bonham  :  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  are 
engaged  in  writing  a  book  concerning  church  missions.  I  know  of  no 
one  so  competent  to  do  such  a  work.  You  are  quite  right  in  saying  that 
my  interest  in  parochial  missions  is  not  of  recent  origin,  as  it  is  about 
as  old  as  my  ministry.  .  .  .  Eleven  years  ago,  as  the  Bishop  of  Long 
Island,  I  wrote  and  published  as  emphatic  an  appeal  as  I  knew  how  to 
prepare  in  support  of  the  mission  in  the  Church  of  the  Ascension, 
Brooklyn,  E.  D.,*  Rev.  T.  W.  Haskins,  Rector.  In  the  year  following 
I  gave  to  the  Rev.  B.  F.  Huntington  a  formal  commission  as  an-Evan- 

*  See  account  of  mission  at  Greenport,  Part  III.,  Chapter  X. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  LETTERS.  703 

gelist  in  the  Diocese  of  Long  Island,  and  with  it  a  letter  to  the  clergy  of 
the  Diocese  strongly  commendatory  of  his  plan  for  parochial  missions. 
He  held  two— one  in  St.  Paul's,  Glen  Cove,  and  one  in  Grace  Church, 
Riverhead — when  his  health  gave  way,  and  he  was  obliged  to  discontinue 
his  labors. 

"  Thanking  you  for  writing  me  on  the  subject, 

"  I  am,  most  faithfully,  yours, 

11  A.    N.    LlTTLEJOHN. 


MISSIONER    HUNTINGTON    IN    ST.   ANN  S   CHAPEL. 

The  Rev.  B.  F.  Huntington  also  held  a  mission  in  St. 
Ann's  Chapel,  Brooklyn  ;  but  as  he  had  taken  a  severe 
cold,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Schenk  had  an  attack  of  bronchitis, 
the  Rector  wrote  to  the  author  to  come  to  their  assistance. 
He  gladly  did  so,  but  as  the  doctor  had  advertised  "  four 
comings  of  Christ,"  and  the  author  believes  in  only  two  of 
them,  he  was  much  embarrassed.  But  as  death  is  not  the 
coming  of  Christ,  but  of  the  enemy,  who  entered  the  world 
through  sin,  whom  Christ  at  His  coming  will  destroy  ; 
and  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost  was  not  the  coming  of 
Christ,  for  Christ  said  :  "  If  I  go  away  I  will  send  you 
another  comforter;"  on  the  second  evening  the  author 
preached  to  the  sinners  present  to  come  to  the  Saviour, 
who  came  once  to  bear  their  sins  away,  and  exhorted  all 
to  be  ready  to  welcome  His  advent  when  He  shall  come 
the  second  time,  without  a  sin-offering  unto  salvation.  For 
years  the  earnest  Rector  of  St.  Ann's  Church,  Brooklyn, 
was  on  the  committee  who  labored  to  induce  the  General 
Convention  to  recognize  an  order  of  Evangelists  and  mis- 
sion services  as  canonical.  Though  he  died  without  seeing 
what  our  eyes  behold,  his  efforts  were  not  wholly  in  vain, 
for  he  encouraged  the  pioneers  of  missions.  The  Rev.  B. 
H.  Huntington  has  also  departed  to  Paradise  ;  and  both 
rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  good  works  do  follow  them. 


704  THE   CHURCH  REVIVED. 

LETTER    FROM    THE    BISHOP    OF    CENTRAL    NEW    YORK. 

"Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1885. 
:<  To  the  Independent  : 

"  I  have  seen  a  published  statement  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Bonham  of  the 
early  history  of  Evangelistic  work  in  the  form  of  the  parochial  mission  in 
our  Church  in  this  country.  So  far  as  the  Diocese  of  Central  New  York 
is  concerned,  and  otherwise  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  the  state- 
ments are  correct  in  all  particulars. 

"It  is  manifest  that  quite  recently  some  variations  and  additions  in 
respect  to  the  manner  of  conducting  these  missions  have  appeared — 
as,  for  instance,  the  use  of  extemporaneous  or  committed  addresses,  and 
perhaps  the  after-meetings. 

"  The  question  of  priority  does  not  strike  me  as  one  of  much  impor- 
tance in  its  personal  bearings  ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  accuracy  is  always 
to  be  desired,  and  it  certainly  is  in  matters  of  history. 

"  F.  D.  Huntington." 

The  author  was  Bishop  Huntington's  Evangelist  for  one 
year,  and  a  sketch  of  the  missions  held  in  Central  New 
York  may  be  found  in  "  The  Church  Revived,"  Part.  II., 
Chapters  I.  to  V.,   pp.  90-113. 


THE  AUTHOR'S  FAREWELL,  705 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

THE    AUTHOR'S    FAREWELL. 

The  Symbolic  Angela-Spiritual  Sunshine — A  Comprehensive 
Prayer — Prophetic  Critics — The  Dead  March — Missioners 
Departing  —Prelude  of  the  Midnight  Cry —  The  Gloria  Patri. 

"And  I  saw  another  angel  fly  in  the  midst  of  heaven, 
having  the  everlasting  Gospel  to  proclaim  unto  them  that 
dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation  and  kindred  and 
tongue  and  people  ;  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Fear  God, 
and  give  glory  to  Him  ;  for  the  hour  of  His  judgment  is 
come  :  and  worship  Him  that  made  heaven  and  earth,  the 
sea,  and  the  fountains  of  waters"  (Rev.  14  :  6,  7).* 

Through  God's  blessing  on  His  messengers,  symbolized 
by  the  apocalyptic  mission  angel,  the  Church  of  Christ  in 
England  and  in  America  is  now  in  a  state  resembling  the 
exceeding  great  army  whom  Ezekiel  saw  suddenly  quick- 
ened into  life.  The  command,  "  Arise,  shine,  for  thy 
Light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon 
thee,"  has  been  obeyed;  and  the  prayer  answered,  "O 
Lord,  save  Thy  people,  and  bless  Thine  inheritance." 

For  the  benefit  of  the  Church  in  America,  and  whoever 
desired  more  light  respecting  parochial  missions  in  the 
Anglican  Church,  the  author  again  and  again  crossed  and 
recrossed  the  ocean.  To  combine  a  few  rays  of  the 
glorious  spiritual  sunshine  beaming  from  the  Church  of 
England,  for  diffusion  in  America,  he  has  taken  great  pains 
and  taxed  to  the  utmost  his  strength  of  body  and  mind  ; 


706  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

but  by  obeying  the  command,  "  Take  hold  of  my  strength, 
saith  Jehovah,"  he  learned  that  "  a  burden  carried  on  the 
back  of  love  loses  more  than  half  its  weight."  When  his 
spirit  seemed  ruffled  his  heart  was  peaceful  ;  for  the  com- 
prehensive prayer  attributed  to  St.  Patrick,  who,  in  the 
fifth  century,  zealously  labored  for  the  conversion  of 
Ireland,  God  still  hears  and  answers  : 

"  May  the  strength  of  God  pilot  me  ; 

May  the  power  of  God  preserve  me  ; 

May  the  wisdom  of  God  instruct  me  ; 

May  the  eye  of  God  view  me  ; 

May  the  ear  of  God  hear  me  ; 

May  the  word  of  God  make  me  eloquent  ; 

May  the  hand  of  God  protect  me  ; 

May  the  way  of  God  direct  me  ; 

May  the  shield  of  God  defend  me  ; 

Christ  be  with  me  ; 

Christ  on  my  right  hand  ; 

Christ  on  my  left  hand  ; 

Christ  in  the  heart  of  all  to  whom  I  speak  ; 

Christ  in  the  mouth  of  all  who  speak  to  me  ; 

Christ  in  the  eye  of  all  who  see  me  ; 

Christ  in  the  ear  of  all  who  hear  me." 

The  author  could  not  present  his  collected  rays  of  mis- 
sion light  in  a  talent-candlestick,  which  the  Master  has  not 
given  to  him,  or  in  a  rhetorical  basket  that  he  does  not 
possess.  But  in  the  one  he  has  he  offers  to  the  Church 
specimens  of  the  numerous  "  fragments  that  remain"  un- 
gathered  ;  and,  "with  enmity  toward  none,  and  good-will 
toward  all,"  he  is  grateful  to  whoever  encouraged  him  to 
"  go  forward  trusting  in  Jehovah." 

The  comprehensive  sketch  of  "the  New  York  Advent 
Mission,"  embodied  in  Part  V.  of  "  The  Church  Revived," 
is  the  result  of  the  author's  personal  observations,  com- 


THE  ACTIIOR'S  FAREWELL.  707 


bincd  with  outlines  of  the  services,  furnished  by  Rectors 
and  Missioners.  He  could  not  visit  every  church  in  which 
a  mission  was  in  progress,  but  was  present  at  as  many  of 
the  services  as  his  strength  permitted.  Though  the  mis- 
sion was  a  plowing  and  planting  season,  the  premature 
question  is  reiterated,  "  What  good  has  resulted  ?"  To 
answer  this  question  the  author  wrote  to  several  Rectors 
to  send  him  "  a  condensed  sketch  of  the  mission's  manifest 
results  ;"  but  the  concentrated  and  continuous  services  had 
made  so  much  additional  but  pleasant  work  for  the  Rectors, 
that  some  could  not  spare  the  time  to  comply  with  his  re- 
quest. During  a  mission  Rectors  and  Missioners  anxiously 
but  hopefully  sung  : 

"  Sowing  the  seed  with  an  aching  heart, 
Sowing  the  seed  while  the  tear-drops  start, 
Sowing  the  seed  till  the  reapers  come 
Gladly  to  gather  the  harvest  home  ; 
Oh,  what  shall  the  harvest  be  ? 
Oh,  what  shall  the  harvest  be  ?" 

The  author  has  labored  to  make  his  sketch  of  each  mis- 
sion as  complete  as  practicable  ;  he  has  his  own  decided 
preferences  for  particular  mission  modes,  but  has  not 
allowed  them  to  guide  his  hand  in  poising  any  Missioner. 
The  lenses  of  his  portrait  camera  are  catholic,  and  arranged 
to  take  the  picture  of  each  Missioner  before  it,  in  the 
"high,"  "low,"  or  "broad  church"  chair  of  his  own 
selection,  and  poised  therein  to  suit  himself;  No  defect 
has  been  magnified  nor  any  excellence  diminished.  Poly- 
bius  affirms  that  "  Truth  is  to  history  what  eyes  are  to 
men  ;  if  these  be  torn  out  they  become  useless."  Just  so, 
deprive  history  of  truth,  and  it  is  no  longer  of  any  value 
or  utility  ;  and  therefore  to  accurately  describe  Missioners 
and  missions  is  the  author's  supreme  desire. 


708  THE    CHURCH  REVIVED. 

Aged  Bishops,  Rectors,  and  Missioners,  to  the  music  of 
the  "  Dead  March,''  are  in  the  long  procession  marching 
to  the  tomb  ;  but  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  is  raising  up 
laborers  to  take  the  places  of  those  who  are  departing. 
They  are  not  tired  of  parochial  mission  work,  but  have 
grown  weary  while  doing  their  allotted  parts,  during  the 
heat  and  burden  of  the  day.  But  each  will  be  rewarded 
according  to  his  work.  That  others  obey  the  command, 
"  Go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard,  and  whatsoever  is  right 
that  shall  ye  receive,"  the  laborers  who  are  departing  to 
Paradise  pray  : 

"  Send  forth  Evangelists  in  spirit  strong, 
Armed  with  Thy  Word,  a  dauntless  host. 
Bold  to  attack  the  rule  of  ancient  wrong." 

With  different  degrees  of  emphasis  different  laborers 
say  :  "  Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints  is 
this  grace  given,  that  I  should  preach  among  the  Gentiles 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ."  "  For  me  to  live  is 
Christ,  but  to  die  is  gain."  "  There  is  laid  up  for  me  a 
crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  will  give  unto  me  at  that  day,  and  not  to  me  only, 
but  unto  all  who  love  His  appearing." 

The  departing  Bishops,  Rectors,  and  Missioners  desire 
soon  to  see  the  King  in  His  beauty,  and  forever  be 

"  Where  angel  voices  mingle  and  the  angel  harpers  ring  ; 

To  be  free  from  pain  and  sorrow,  and  the  anxious  dread  '  to-morrow  ; ' 
To  rest  in  light  and  sunshine  in  the  presence  of  the  King." 

Through  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  the  grace  of  God 
the  Son,  and  the  fellowship  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  some 
of  them  are  willing  to  depart  to  Paradise,  chanting,  "Lord, 
now  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation." 


THE  AUTHOR'S  FAREWELL.  708 

11  Christ,  let  me  come  to  Thee  ! 
I  watch  my  toiling  breath  grow  faint  and  slow  ; 

I  note  the  hectic  deepening  day  by  day, 
And  feel  my  life  is  like  a  wreath  of  snow, 

Which  one  kind  breath  of  heaven  would  melt  away. 
A  little  longer  in  this  world  of  vice  — 

The  wished-for  boundary  is  almost  passed  ; 
I  see  the  shining  shore  of  Paradise, 

I  know  my  pain  is  almost  o'er  at  last. 
Sweet  Christ,  oh,  let  me  come  ! 

"  Christ,  let  me  come  to  Thee  ! 
I've  seen  the  gates  that  guard  Thy  holy  clime, 

And  often  caught  a  hopeful  gleam  within  ; 
I  know  they'll  open  in  Thine  own  good  time, 

And  let  Thy  weary,  wandering  child  come  in. 
•I've  had,  all  through  this  weary  care  and  pain, 

One  blessed  hope,  that  ne'er  has  known  despair, 
It  cheers  me  like  the  sunshine  after  rain  ! 

I  know  Thou'lt  hear  my  deep  and  heart-felt  prayer, 
And  let  me  come  to  Thee  !" 

For  God's  blessing  on  parochial  missions  in  England, 
Canada,  and  the  United  States,  "  Glory  be  to  the  Father, 
and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  As  the  glory  was 
in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall  be,  world  without 
end.     Amen." 


Mission  Literature 

Sold  by  Thomas  Whittaker,  2  and  3  Bible  House,  N.  Y. 


Works  by  Rev.  W.  HAY  AITKEN,  M.A.,  Mission  Preacher. 

'Every   sermon   throbs  with   burning,  well-directed  zeal,  and  bears  evidence  also  of 
chaste  scholarship  in  their  author.1' — The  Living  Church. 

i2mo,  cloth  extra,  $1.00  per  volume. 

Around   the  CrOSS.     Some  of  the   First  Principles  of  the  Doctrine 
of  Christ. 

The  Glory  Of  the  Gospel.     A  New  Volume  of  Mission  Sermons. 

God's   Everlasting  Yea.     Divine  Provision  for  Human  Need. 

What  is  Your   Life?     Addresses  specially  suited  to  young  men. 

Mission  Sermons.      Series    i. — Twenty   Sermons.      Series    2. — 
Eighteen  Sermons.     Series  3.  —  Eighteen  Sermons. 

The  preceding  seven  volumes  contain   Sermons  chiefly  of  a?i  Evangelistic 

character;  the  following  volumes  will  be  found 

helpful  to  the  Christian  Life  : 

The   Highway  Of   Holiness.       Helps  to  the  Spiritual  Life. 

Newness  Of  Life.     A  Series  of  Sermons  and  Addresses  to  Believers. 

"  Cannot  fail  to  instruct,  to  stimulate,  to  guard,  to  encourage,  to  search  and  try  the 
heart  of  all  who  may  be  attracted  to  its  burning  pages." — The  Christian. 

The  Revealer   Revealed  ;  Or,  the  Manifestation  of  Christ  to  and 
in  His  Disciples.     Just  Published. 


The  School  Of  Grace.  Expository  Thoughts  on  Titus  ii.  11-14. 
New  Edition.    i2mo,  cloth,  $1.50. 

Difficulties  Of  the  Soul.     i6mo,  paper  covers,  30  cents,   net. 

A  Manual  for  Parochial  Missions.  Containing  Suggestions 
and  Hints  for  Clergy  and  other  Christian  Workers.  24U10,  cloth, 
35  cents,  net, 


By  Rev.  JAMES  STEPHENS,  Children's  Missioner. 

Living  Water  for   Little   Pitchers.      Mission  Addresses  to  the 
Young.      i2mo,  cloth  extra,  Sr.oo. 

"Admirably  suited  to  the  purpose  for  which  they  are  intended  ;  short  and  animated, 
full  of  anecdote,  and  nearly  certain,  not  only  to  retain  the  attention,  but  to  appeal  to  the 
affections  of  the  little  hearers." — Guardian,  London. 


BY  VARIOUS  AUTHORS. 

Practical  Hints  for  Parochial  Missions.    By  Horsley  and 

Dawes.     Revised  and  prefaced  by  Rev.  Geo.  Body,  M.A.      i2mo, 
cloth,  $1.50. 

What  Shall  I  Say?  Analytic  Outline  Addresses  upon  religious, 
temperance,  thrift,  health  and  social  topics,  etc.  By  Rev.  Henry 
W.  Little.     i2mo,  cloth,  90  cents,  net. 

"  Good  Days  to  Come,"  and  other  Mission  Sermons.  By  Rev. 
Edward  Husband.     i6mo,  cloth,  75  cents,  net. 

Missioner's  Manual  of  Anecdotes.     For  the  use  of  mission 

preachers,  catechists  and  Sunday-school  teachers.       By  Rev.  A.  G. 
Jackson.     i2mo,  cloth,  $1.00,  net. 

Plain  Thoughts  for  Men.  Eight  lectures  delivered  at  the  London 
Mission,  1884.      i2mo,  cloth,  60  cents. 

Character  Building.  Talks  to  young  men  on  destiny,  value  of 
time,  reading,  bad  habits,  strong  drink,  companions,  and  religion. 
By  Rev.  R.  S.  Barrett.     i2mo,  cloth,  50  cents. 

Work  Among  Workingmen.  By  Ellice  Hopkins.  Fourth 
Edition.      i2mo.  cloth,  $1.00. 


The   Mission    Hymnal.       A  hymnal   issued  by  the  Mission  Com- 
mittee appointed  by  the  Assistant  Bishop  of  New  York. 

"Words  and  Music,  paper  covers,  25  cents,  net.  . 

"          "  "       board       "  -         -  -    30 

Words  only,  paper  covers,    '       -  5 

"  "        muslin  covers,  wire  stitched,  10 

If  ordered  by  mail,  add  four  cents  per  copy  to  price  for  music  edition, 
and  one  cent  for  word  edition. 

Short  Liturgies  for  Mission  Services.     Selected  from  the 

Bible  and  Prayer- Book.     By  Rev.  W.  Hay  Aitken,  M.A.   Paper 
covers,  3  cents. 


New  York,  Thomas  Whittaker,  2  and  3  Bible  House. 


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